South American lungfish
Lepidosiren paradoxa
Where at Shedd?
Amazon Rising
| Diet | Fishes, mollusks, shrimp, insects and plant matter |
|---|---|
| Size | Length: Up to 4.3 feet (1.3 m) |
| Type | Fishes |
| Range | Northern South America |
| Habitat | Stagnant waters |
About the South American lungfish
Fish that can breathe above water? Australian lungfish not only have gills but also a single lung.
Did you know?
- This fish has a lung, not gills like most other fish. During low water season, it burrows in the mud, using its lung to breathe
- Look for the lungfish as it swims to the surface. It rises to take a breath of air into its lungs.
- If it is not gliding through the water like a long, lean eel, the lung fish may have burrowed itself somewhere in the habitat.