Queensland Lungfish
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Queensland Lungfish
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| COMMON NAME: | Queensland Lungfish |
| LATIN NAME: | Neoceratodus forsteri |
| FOOD: | Frogs, tadpoles, small fishes, snails, shrimp and earthworms. |
| HABITAT: | Still or slow flowing pools. |
| LOCALITY: | Southeastern Queensland. |
| LENGTH: | 1.5 metres |
| BEHAVIOUR: | The Queensland Lungfish has a single lung, whereas all other species of lungfishes have paired lungs. During dry periods when streams become stagnant, or when water quality changes, lungfishes have the ability to surface and breathe air. When the Queensland Lungfish surfaces to empty and refill its lung the sound is reportedly like that of the "blast from a small bellows". Under most conditions, this species breathes exclusively using its gills. |
| DEVELOPMENT: | This species spawns at night from August to December with peak activity in October. Fertilized eggs are stuck to aquatic plants and hatching takes about three weeks. Growth is very slow, with young reaching 6cm in length after 8 months and 12cm after two years. |
| DESCRIPTION: |
The Queensland Lungfish can be recognised by its long, heavy body with large scales, small eyes and paddle-like pectoral and pelvic fins. Its dorsal fin starts midway along the back and is continuous with the caudal and anal fins. This species is usually olive-green to brown on the back and sides with some scattered dark blotches, and whitish underneath. |
