When the #AustralianLungfish (𝘕𝘦𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪 (Krefft, 1870)) was described in the late 19th century, it was considered an amphibian, as it presents a sole #lung, which it uses to breathe out of water.
After a thorough examination of its anatomy, it was recognized as a fish, although some authors tried to include them again in the amphibian group.
This species predominantly uses its #gills to breathe, but during dry months, it can breathe atmospheric air, and survive in waterholes, where the oxygen content is very reduced, a condition in which other fishes would die easily. In that case, this fish needs to surface about every 40 to 50 minutes for air.
The species is #endemic to Australia, and the sole survivor of an extensive lungfish fauna which once lived in the region; but this sole survivor is now considered an endangered species. It is also known as lobe-finned fish and has remained virtually unchanged for more than 100 million years, being one of the #oldest living vertebrate species on the planet.
The adult range size is about 80 to 112 cm, they can weigh almost 50 kg, and the lifespan in the wild is estimated between 50 to 100 years. The longest-lived animal known for this species was 65 years old. It died in 2017, in the zoo of Chicago (USA).
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