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(Click for large pic. 19Kb)
The Lungfish is a representative of an ancient group of fishes which have survived many million years of great geological changes. Their skeletons are comprised of cartilage rather than bone; the large overlapping plate-like scales superficially resemble those of modern bony fishes. The Lungfish may use its gills for breathing underwater; however, should the water become foul, it can use a lung-like sac, rising to "gulp" air in a swift rolling motion at the surface. This species is a native of the Mary and Burnett Rivers (South Queensland).
The Lungfish spawns from August to October; the eggs resemble small transparent grapes and are frequently found attached to floating stands of water-hyacinth. Spawning appears to occur in a series of three phases: in the first, a pair of fish move together, roaming about an area, presumably in search of a suitable spawning site; in the second, a "follow-the-leader'' situation develops with one fish nudging the flanks of the other; finally, the leading fish plunges through the surrounding weed, the male following the female and fertilising the eggs as they are shed. Lungfish feed on water plants, worms, snails and freshwater prawns or shrimps.
The species is characterised by having a powerful paddle-shaped tail, limb-like paired fins, rather small eyes, and teeth in the form of crushing plates resembling cocks'-combs. In colour it is generally greenish above, and salmon-orange below. It grows to a length of 1.8 m and a weight of 15 kg.
This fish is totally protected.
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