West African lungfish (Protopterus annectens annectens)

Scientific name: Protopterus annectens annectens Owen, 1839

West African lungfish (Protopterus annectens annectens)

The West African lungfish (Protopterus annectens annectens) is a freshwater fish of the family Protopteridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 25–30°C (77–86°F).

West African lungfish care at a glance

Temperature
25–30°C (77–86°F)

Biology

Prominent snout; small eyes, its diameter 9-15 times in the head length. Paired fins long and filamentous. Pectoral fins with a basal fringe are about 3 times the head length; pelvic fins are about 2 times the head length. In general 3 external gills inserted posterior to the gill slits and above pectoral fins. 40-50 scales between operculum and anus, 36-40 around the body before dorsal-fin origin. 34-37 pairs of ribs. Cycloid scales embedded in the skin. Dorsal side olive or brown colored, ventral side lighter; great blackish or brownish spots on the body and fins except on the belly.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Protopterus annectens annectens
Family
Protopteridae (African lungfishes)
Order
Lepidosireniformes (South American and African Lungfishes)
Class
Sarcopterygii (Lobe-finned fishes)
Maximum length
100.0
Environment
Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: Senegal, Niger, Gambia, Volta and Chad basins, also in temporary tributaries of Chari River in Western Sudan; Bandama and Como? basins in C?te d'Ivoire and certain basins of Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: minor commercial; aquaculture: commercial
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tmax = 23 (in captivity); Fec

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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