sick lungfish - Paw Talk

fourpaws · #1 02-09-2007, 08:11 PM

I Need Help Anybody That Knows Any Info. On Lungfish. Mine Is At Least 7 Years Old, He Is Normally Active And Eats. The Last Four Days He Hasn't Been Eating Or Moving Too Much, He Was Getting White Patches On Him And Now He Is Starting To Turn All White And Where He Is White It Isn't Slimy, It's Dry. Is He Just Getting Old And Dying Or Is He Sick, How Old Do They Live To Be???? Very Sad, I Love This Big Guy And I Am Afraid He Is Going To Die.

**Sasami** · #2 02-10-2007, 02:07 AM

Can you give more information? What size tank is he in and what are your water parameters?

And what species of lungfish do you have?

They usually live a really long time, from what I've read. Much longer then seven years...so I don't think yours is just old.

fourpaws · #3 02-10-2007, 09:17 AM

He is an African lungfish, I have had him for 7 years and when I got him he was full grown, I am guessing he is probably around 10-12 years old. He is about 28-30 inches long. He lives in a 200 gallon tank that was built for him. The nitrites were high so i cleaned the tank and kept doing water changes ph and all were normal. He stopped eating fish about 2 years ago, he loved koi stixs and always ate them, I tried all diferent types of food, but not into anything but the koi stixs and dog food kibble. But before that he would eat anything. I am afraid to go to my shop this morning as I think he might have died.

**Sasami** · #4 02-10-2007, 09:37 PM

I hope he's ok

.

You mentioned the nitrites being high...I'm wondering if you meant nitrates? In a cycled tank there shouldn't be any nitrites at all. Also, did you test the water recently? Or were you talking about a different time?

I can't really think of anything else

. There are anti-fungal meds that might help but I have no idea if they are safe for lung fish.

fourpaws · #5 02-11-2007, 05:27 PM

Thank you for caring, but my African lungfish ( FIDO) passed away this morning. I found the old owner and he got him in 1981, so he is at least 26 years old, 14 lbs. and 34 inches long. . I sure did cry and so many people will miss him, me too, since I own a grooming shop/pet store he was visited by many. I am thinking on mounting him. He was an awesome creature.