Heterobranchus bidorsalis

Heterobranchus bidorsalis, the African catfish or eel-like fattyfin catfish, is an airbreathing catfish found in Africa.[1][2] It is closely related to the vundu catfish, which is well-known among fishermen.

Heterobranchus bidorsalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Clariidae
Genus: Heterobranchus
Species:
H. bidorsalis
Binomial name
Heterobranchus bidorsalis
Synonyms
  • Heterobranchus geoffroyi Valenciennes, 1840
  • Heterobranchus senegalensis Valenciennes, 1840
  • Heterobranchus intermedius Günther, 1864

Description

The head of Heterobranchus bidorsalis is shaped like an oval and has a rectangular dorsum. The snout is round and the eyes are lateral. The frontal fontanelle is long and narrow while the occipital fontanelle is relatively long and is shaped like an oval. The postorbital bones are completely united. The suprabranchial organ is well developed. The pectoral spine is smooth. The body and fins may have spots. It can reach a length of 150 cm (59.0 inches) TL. The maximum recorded weight for this species is 30.0 kg. The species has 40-46 dorsal (in the back) soft rays, 49-58 anal soft rays, and 62-63 vertebrate.[2]

Relationship to humans

This fish is commercially fished for human consumption.[2]

In studies on the effects of pollution on this fish it was shown to be tolerant to acute levels of agrolyser (a type of fertilizer), however a high concentration of anthracene in the liver can kill the catfish.[3]

Studies into artificial spawning in this species showed that spawning can be induced in females by single intramuscular hormone injections of carp pituitary suspensions. An 82% survival rate of the larvae was achieved.[4]

Habitat and distribution

This catfish is a demersal fish and inhabits freshwater.[2] It lives in waters of 22.0-28.0 °C (71.6-82.4 °F).[5] It is found widely in the northern half of Africa between Senegal and Ethiopia, as well as the Nile.[1] It can be found in the Niger River, Gambia River, Senegal River, Baro River, Benue River, Volta River and Lake Chad.[1][2]

References
  1. Azeroual, A.; Entsua-Mensah, M.; Getahun, A. & Lalèyè, P. (2010). "Heterobranchus bidorsalis". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2010: e.T181917A7763801. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T181917A7763801.en.
  2. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2011). "Heterobranchus bidorsalis" in FishBase. December 2011 version.
  3. "Anthracene-Induced Enzymatic Changes as Stress Indicators in African Catfish, Heterobranchus bidorsalis Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, 1809". Research Journal of Environmental Sciences. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
  4. "Artificial Propagation of African Clariid Catfish, Heterobranchus bidorsalis (Geoffory Saint Hilaire 1809)". Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
  5. "Heterobranchus bidorsalis". Planet Catfish. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
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