Australian Lungfish - Neoceratodus forsteri

**amiidae** · 30-09-2005, 11:05 PM

The Australian or Queensland lungfish, Neoceratodus forsteri
The Holy Grail for primitive fish enthusiasts.

It is listed under CITES Appendix II, so international trade is strictly regulated. However, captive-bred specimens are available with CITES paperwork from Wildgrove (ceratodus.com) in Australia

It has the most primitive anatomy of the lungfishes, with paddle-like pectoral and pelvic fins and very large, thick scales. The only extant species of its order, it is a direct descendant of the extinct Triassic lungfish Ceratodus. With lungs that are not highly developed, it depends on gill respiration more than lungfishes of the genus Lepidosiren. It doesn’t hibernate, and grow to more than a meter in length.

I have never personally kept any Neoceratodus, but they are definitely one of my dream species to own

Personally I want to thank Mr. Gordon Hides of Wildgrove P/L http://ceratodus.com/index.html for the permission to use/put up this write up.

**amiidae** · 30-09-2005, 11:07 PM

About Ceratodus

Scientific Name: Neoceratodus forsteri
Common Names: Ceratodus, Cerat, Australian Lungfish, Burnett River Salmon
Aboriginal Name: Djelleh (pronounced jel-air)

Scientists first discovered the Australian (Queensland) Lungfish during the 1870s in the Mary and Burnett Rivers in South-East Queensland. Today it is found in several other river systems in Queensland (possibly through translocation) including at least the Brisbane and Pine Rivers. Recent studies have found it to be thriving in its natural and Tran located habitat.

The Australian Lungfish (scientific name Neoceratodus forsteri) is recognizable as a large, robust fish (they grow to 1.5m in the wild) usually with a murky green / brown back and sides fading to an orange / pink belly. They have no natural predators and move in an unhurried sinuous way through water. It is also capable of slithering over wet grass with the aid of a downhill slope.

N. forsteri is one of only four living species of the Lungfish family (dipnoi) the others existing in Africa and South America. It can easily be distinguished from the other three as it most closely resembles the fossil lungfishes, being much more heavyset than the others with large fins and scales. Additionally it has a single lung where all other species have a pair.

**amiidae** · 30-09-2005, 11:09 PM

Lungfish care

Australian Lungfish make ideal aquarium fish. They are very hardy, almost indestructible (they have existed for 350 million years) and can have a lifespan of 100 years. (You may like to make some provision for them in your will). These fish are easy to care for and undemanding regarding tank conditions and feeding.

As the fish grow, they will need a large tank, approx 5ft-6ft or a heated outdoor pond. With good care they should reach approx 18in to 2 feet at approx. 3 to 5 years of age. Their growth rate will then slow to reach 3ft at 10 to 15 years of age.

Juveniles should not be crowded because they will nibble on each other's pectoral fins.
They may be kept in a community tank as they are not aggressive towards other fish, though they will eat small fish and the tank should be kept covered as they will jump.

They can be stroked and patted in the water and can be handled out of the water as long as you have wet hands. With time, you can train them to feed from your hands.

Food
Live - freshwater shrimp, snails and garden worms.
Frozen - Beef heart (with all fat and gristle removed), fish fillets, freshwater mussel meat.
Mince these together and add some dry pellet fish food and then freeze.
Dry - Occasional algae wafers

Water Conditions
Temp : 10 degrees to 29 degrees Celsius
50 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit
pH : 6-8
Hardness : 200 – 400

**amiidae** · 30-09-2005, 11:12 PM

Some photos of this amazing species

**amiidae** · 30-09-2005, 11:19 PM

photos of larger specimen &

Slideshow

**amiidae** · 30-09-2005, 11:30 PM

I call these "the uncommon of the uncommon"

**amiidae** · 30-09-2005, 11:35 PM

some additional link

http://www.amonline.net.au/fishes/fi.../nforsteri.htm

http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/t.../lungfish.html

http://www.photovault.com/Link/Anima...nLungfish.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract

**radiomad** · 01-10-2005, 01:54 AM

If i am not wrong... QH actually had 2 pieces selling for about 3 to 5K thereabouts...

moet_andy · 27-12-2005, 05:45 PM

the scales of well maintained Aust. lung fish glows like aro. with rims and core color.

Fatty · 28-12-2005, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moet_andy

the scales of well maintained Aust. lung fish glows like aro. with rims and core color.

could u provide a pic?or u r joking?

30-09-2005, 11:07 PM	#2
amiidae Senior Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 5,533 Rep Power: 8 Reputation: 1083	About Ceratodus Scientific Name: Neoceratodus forsteri Common Names: Ceratodus, Cerat, Australian Lungfish, Burnett River Salmon Aboriginal Name: Djelleh (pronounced jel-air) Scientists first discovered the Australian (Queensland) Lungfish during the 1870s in the Mary and Burnett Rivers in South-East Queensland. Today it is found in several other river systems in Queensland (possibly through translocation) including at least the Brisbane and Pine Rivers. Recent studies have found it to be thriving in its natural and Tran located habitat. The Australian Lungfish (scientific name Neoceratodus forsteri) is recognizable as a large, robust fish (they grow to 1.5m in the wild) usually with a murky green / brown back and sides fading to an orange / pink belly. They have no natural predators and move in an unhurried sinuous way through water. It is also capable of slithering over wet grass with the aid of a downhill slope. N. forsteri is one of only four living species of the Lungfish family (dipnoi) the others existing in Africa and South America. It can easily be distinguished from the other three as it most closely resembles the fossil lungfishes, being much more heavyset than the others with large fins and scales. Additionally it has a single lung where all other species have a pair. __________________ For enquires on Aquatic Photography Services, do drop me an email at benjamin@amiidae.com or visit www.amiidae.com to view some of my work. Amia calva aka Bowfin

30-09-2005, 11:09 PM	#3
amiidae Senior Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 5,533 Rep Power: 8 Reputation: 1083	Lungfish care Australian Lungfish make ideal aquarium fish. They are very hardy, almost indestructible (they have existed for 350 million years) and can have a lifespan of 100 years. (You may like to make some provision for them in your will). These fish are easy to care for and undemanding regarding tank conditions and feeding. As the fish grow, they will need a large tank, approx 5ft-6ft or a heated outdoor pond. With good care they should reach approx 18in to 2 feet at approx. 3 to 5 years of age. Their growth rate will then slow to reach 3ft at 10 to 15 years of age. Juveniles should not be crowded because they will nibble on each other's pectoral fins. They may be kept in a community tank as they are not aggressive towards other fish, though they will eat small fish and the tank should be kept covered as they will jump. They can be stroked and patted in the water and can be handled out of the water as long as you have wet hands. With time, you can train them to feed from your hands. Food Live - freshwater shrimp, snails and garden worms. Frozen - Beef heart (with all fat and gristle removed), fish fillets, freshwater mussel meat. Mince these together and add some dry pellet fish food and then freeze. Dry - Occasional algae wafers Water Conditions Temp : 10 degrees to 29 degrees Celsius 50 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit pH : 6-8 Hardness : 200 – 400 __________________ For enquires on Aquatic Photography Services, do drop me an email at benjamin@amiidae.com or visit www.amiidae.com to view some of my work. Amia calva aka Bowfin

30-09-2005, 11:35 PM	#7
amiidae Senior Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 5,533 Rep Power: 8 Reputation: 1083	some additional link http://www.amonline.net.au/fishes/fi.../nforsteri.htm http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/t.../lungfish.html http://www.photovault.com/Link/Anima...nLungfish.html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract __________________ For enquires on Aquatic Photography Services, do drop me an email at benjamin@amiidae.com or visit www.amiidae.com to view some of my work. Amia calva aka Bowfin Last edited by amiidae; 30-09-2005 at 11:48 PM.

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27-12-2005, 05:45 PM	#9
moet_andy Arofanatic Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 144 Rep Power: 3 Reputation: 60	the scales of well maintained Aust. lung fish glows like aro. with rims and core color.

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