Spotted Lungfish

Protopterus dolloi is found in the Congo River basin, where it inhabits swampy backwaters and floodplains. It is more slender and elongated than P. aethiopicus, with a prominently spotted body pattern of dark spots and blotches on a pale background. Adults typically reach 75cm in captivity. Like all African lungfish it breathes air obligatorily, can aestivate during drought, and is a powerful predator with strong jaws. In the aquarium it requires generous space, excellent filtration, and careful handling due to its aggressive bite. It is somewhat less commonly kept than P. aethiopicus but appears in specialist collections and occasionally in oddball fish trade listings. Its care follows the same demanding template as the marbled lungfish, though its more modest adult size makes the tank requirement marginally more achievable.

Water: 25–30°C, pH 6.0–7.5, soft to moderate; robust filtration; 30% water changes weekly. Tank: Minimum 400L, fine sand or bare, minimal decor, extremely secure lid; must surface to breathe. Feeding: Carnivore; prawns, earthworms, mussel, fish fillet; infrequent large meals suit its metabolic rate. Breeding: Not achieved in standard captivity; complex hormonal induction required. Compatibility: Aggressive and predatory; should be kept alone or only with fish comparable in size and toughness.