South Sudan

The widehead catfish, Clarotes laticeps, is a large predatory catfish recorded across much of Africa, from Senegal and Guinea east to Egypt and Kenya. It inhabits large lakes and rivers and grows to 80 cm, though it is unlikely to reach this in captivity. Uncommon in the trade, it is capable of swallowing surprisingly large prey and is unsuitable for all but the biggest aquaria.

The Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus niloticus, is a cichlid with a very wide natural range in Africa, from Senegal east to Egypt and Uganda. Bred in huge numbers as a food fish, it has been introduced to over 70 other countries and is one of the most invasive fish species in the world. It reaches 60 cm, though usually around 35 cm, breeds readily, is very messy and does not make a good aquarium subject.

The saddled bichir, Polypterus endlicheri endlicheri, is a nocturnal bichir recorded from ten African countries including Cameroon, Nigeria and Sudan. It lives in rivers and marshy areas and is occasionally found in brackish water around mangroves. One of the 'lower-jawed' tribe of Polypterus, it can reach 75 cm, though rarely in captivity, and a fully grown fish needs a very large aquarium. Like other bichirs it breathes atmospheric air and can drown if denied access to it.

The Senegal bichir, Polypterus senegalus senegalus, is the most widespread bichir, found in 26 African countries including Egypt and Senegal. It is usually found in shallow, slow-moving swamps, marshes and freshwater lagoons. One of the more peaceful and active Polypterus, it reaches 50 cm, is recommended for beginners with these fish, and has lived for over 30 years in aquaria.

Synodontis schall is a large, predatory Synodontis catfish recorded from seventeen African countries, among them Nigeria, Egypt and Kenya. Regarded as the 'bad boy' of the genus in aquarium circles, it grows to 375 mm SL, is randomly aggressive and will eat smaller fish, so it should be kept only with tankmates that can stand their own ground. It is an important food fish in some of its native countries.

The Nile perch, Lates niloticus, is a giant predatory fish from Central and Western Africa, reaching 193 cm and up to 200 kg. Introduced into many African countries as a food fish, it is thought to have contributed to the extinction of over 200 endemic species in Lake Victoria, and the IUCN lists it among the world's top 100 invasive species. Juveniles turn up in some aquatic stores, but it is not suited to captive life in any respect.