Bulldog (Marcusenius macrolepidotus)

Scientific name: Marcusenius macrolepidotus Peters, 1852

The Bulldog (Marcusenius macrolepidotus) is a freshwater fish of the family Mormyridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–24°C (72–75°F). Native range: Africa, Upper Congo basin, Zambezi, east flowing rivers of Tanzania and Natal. Widespread and common in the Cunene and Okavango systems.

Bulldog care at a glance

Temperature: 22–24°C (72–75°F)

Biology

Caught with dipnets in the Kafue floodplain, Zambia. Prefers well-vegetated, muddy bottomed marginal habitats of rivers and floodplains. A shoaling species which moves inshore after dark. Migrates within rivers. Recorded to move up tributaries in shoals during flood season. Feeds on invertebrates, especially midge and mayfly larvae and pupae taken from the bottom and off plant stems. Breeds during the rainy season in shallow vegetated localities; females carry up to 6,000 eggs. Possesses electroreceptors over the entire head and on the ventral and dorsal regions of the body, but absent from the side and the caudal peduncle where the electric organ is located.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Marcusenius macrolepidotus
Family: Mormyridae (Elephantfishes)
Order: Osteoglossiformes (Bony tongues)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 32.0
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 7.0 - ?; dH range: 10 - ? demersal; potamodromous
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: Upper Congo basin, Zambezi, east flowing rivers of Tanzania and Natal. Widespread and common in the Cunene and Okavango systems.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries:; gamefish: yes; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.7-1.1)