African bullhead (Lophiobagrus cyclurus)

Scientific name: Lophiobagrus cyclurus Worthington & Ricardo, 1937

The African bullhead (Lophiobagrus cyclurus) is a freshwater fish of the family Claroteidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 23–26°C (73–79°F). Native range: Africa, Lake Tanganyika.

African bullhead care at a glance

Temperature: 23–26°C (73–79°F)

Biology

Concealed mostly among rocks during daytime. Nocturnal habits prevail. Oviparous. Care of the eggs and young is probably done by mouthbrooding solitary males. Feed on chironomid larvae, beetle larvae and small crustaceans with occasional ingestion of vegetable material. Of no food value. Mucus is poisonous to other fishes.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Lophiobagrus cyclurus
Family: Claroteidae (Claroteid catfishes)
Order: Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 8.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 7.5 - 8.0; dH range: 15 - 25 demersal
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: Lake Tanganyika.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Venomous
Uses: Fisheries: of potential interest; aquarium: potential
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)