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Edit Heterobranchus longifilis

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Name

Scientific name

Heterobranchus longifilis

Described by

Not recorded

Family

Clariidae

Common names

Vundu

Photograph credits

All 3 credited

Summary

The vundu, Heterobranchus longifilis, is a clariid catfish widespread throughout Africa and one of the largest freshwater fishes on the con…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

1500mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 180 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm, Minimum height 60 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 20–27°C, pH 5.5–7.5

Hardness

3–20dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Predatory

Social needs

Not recorded

Social needs
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Community suitability

Not recorded

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Gambia

Writing

Etymology

Not written yet

Distribution

Widespread throughout the African continent.

Habitat

It inhabits deep water, including rivers, lakes and ponds.

Aquarium size

180 ∗ 60 ∗ 60 cm - ~648 litres absolute minimum. Although the maximum recorded size is unlikely to be attained this fish will still grow very large in the aqua…

Maintenance

Decor is not critical. Bearing in mind the adult size of this fish an undecorated tank with a soft substrate is probably the best option. It could also be kept…

Water conditions

Temperature: 20 – 27 °C, but aim for the upper end of this range. pH: 5.5-7.5 Hardness: 3-20°H

Diet

A greedy and omnivorous species that will eat almost anything offered. A varied mixture of dried pellets, meaty frozen foods and vegetable matter is recommende…

Behaviour and compatibility

Highly predatory and should be kept alone. It will consume any fish it can fit in its mouth, and will often attack larger tankmates as well.

Sexual dimorphism

Females are thicker-bodied than males.

Reproduction

Has been bred in aquaria for experimental purposes via hormone injection, but a breeding project is surely beyond the scope of the hobbyist.

Notes

One of the largest freshwater fish species found in Africa, this is not a very good aquarium inhabitant. It is suitable only for the truly dedicated hobbyist a…

References

References

No references