Queensland lungfish (ceratodus)
Neoceratodus forsteri

Officers of DPI&F

Description

The Queensland lungfish is one of Australia's largest freshwater fish, reaching lengths of 150cm and weighing up to 30kg. This species is one of six species of lungfish in the world, which have survived millions of years of geological change. Queensland lungfish have heavy, elongate bodies, covered by large, bony, overlapping scales. They have a flattened, eel-like tail that tapers to a point and their fins are leaf-shaped and limb-like. The lungfish is a cartilaginous fish with small eyes and teeth in the form of crushing plates.As the name suggests, lungfish have the ability to supplement their respiration using a modified swim bladder (lung) to inhale air at times of poor water quality or increased activity. As with other fish lungfish primarily use gills to breathe. Lungfish vary in colour from dull brown to olive green dorsally, whilst the ventral surface varies from cream to a vivid orange colour. Most lungfish have random black blotches on their back and sides, towards the tail.

Habitat/distribution

The Queensland lungfish is not an endangered species but is restricted in its distribution. It occurs naturally in the Burnett and Mary River systems in south-eastern Queensland, but was successfully introduced to other areas including the Brisbane, Albert, Coomera and Stanley Rivers and the Enoggera Reservoir in the 1890s. Protected areas such as the Enoggera Reservoir support large populations of Queensland lungfish.

Lungfish generally inhabit still or slow-flowing streams or deep pools and can be found in clear or turbid waters. Despite their reputation as being sluggish bottom dwelling fish, lungfish are capable of moving very rapidly, particularly when threatened. Large-scale movements have also been observed with some individuals moving up to 40km in less than two weeks. The lungfish can survive in poor quality water or dry conditions due to their ability to breathe air. If the water body in which a Queensland lungfish lives dries up completely, it will die within a few days as it does not bury itself in the mud or make a cocoon like African and American lungfish.

Being mainly carnivorous, the Queensland lungfish feeds on small fishes, snails, mussels, freshwater shrimps and earthworms, but also eats some aquatic and terrestrial plant material. They have poor eyesight so rely on smell rather than sight to find their food.

Suggested further reading

Department of Primary Industries. (2002). Fish Guide. Saltwater, Freshwater and Noxious Species. The Great Outdoors Publications, Brisbane.

Merrick, J.R. and Schmida G.E. (1984). Australian Freshwater Fishes: Biology and Management. Griffin Press Limited, South Australia.

Note: Some information in this publication may change from time to time (especially size and in-possession limits). You should contact your nearest Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol or the DPI&F Business information centre

Information contained in this publication is provided as general advice only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought. The Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Queensland has taken all reasonable steps to ensure the information in this publication is accurate at the time of publication. Readers should ensure that they make appropriate inquiries to determine whether new information is available on the particular subject matter.

File No: f00133
Last reviewed 1 April 2008