Our 3 Australian Lungfish are certainly settling into their new home. They arrived at Melbourne Museum at the end of May where they lived in our back of house facility for the first few weeks while we kept a close eye on them and learnt their likes and dislikes. They quickly settled into their new surroundings and were literally ‘feeding from the hand’ by the second week. Being transferred to display for the opening of 600 million years in the first week of July was probably more traumatic for the keepers than the fish – a new fish tank no matter how well you prepare it can always have problems. We have been testing an array of water conditions daily to ensure any fluctuations are kept to a minimum. The 3 Lungfish have been behaving like true stars on display; they spend much of the day relaxed at the bottom of the tank and come to the surface for short periods to gulp some air into their lungs. Next time you are at the Museum make sure you find your way to this new and fascinating exhibition in the Science and Life gallery.

One of our Australian Lungfish on display in the new 600 million years exhibition. Photo: Benjamin Healley Source: Museum Victoria

Feeding time; these Australian Lungfish get fed a range of pellets, earthworms and other treats. Photo: Benjamin Healley Source: Museum Victoria

The Australian Lungfish enclosure is part of the story of life leaving the water and moving onto land. Photo: Benjamin Healley Source: Museum Victoria