African catfish (Heterobranchus bidorsalis)

Scientific name: Heterobranchus bidorsalis Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1809

The African catfish (Heterobranchus bidorsalis) is a freshwater fish of the family Clariidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–28°C (72–82°F). Native range: Africa, Nile. Africa: Chad basin, Niger, Upper Volta, Guinea and Senegal. Also known from the Gambia River.

African catfish care at a glance

Temperature
22–28°C (72–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 40-46; Anal soft rays: 49 - 58; Vertebrae: 62 - 63. Head oval-shaped to rectangular dorsally; snout broadly rounded; eyes rather laterally placed. Frontal fontanelle long and narrow; occipital fontanelle relatively long and oval shaped. `Postorbital' bones completely united. Suprabranchial organ well developed. Pectoral spine smooth. Openings of secondary sensory canals with regular geometric pattern. Body and fins occasionally with irregularly placed spots.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Heterobranchus bidorsalis
Family
Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
150
Environment
Freshwater; demersal
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: Nile. Africa: Chad basin, Niger, Upper Volta, Guinea and Senegal. Also known from the Gambia River.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated