Red List of South African Species

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Notes

Within its wide range, there are indications, that more than one species is involved and this catfish is in a need of a detailed taxonomic review. This species, common in Lake Victoria, was erroneously reported from there under the name C. anguillaris by Copley (1941), a misidentification (Seegers et al. 2003).

habitat_narrative

Freshwater (=Inland waters)

This is a benthopelagic (living and feeding near the bottom as well as in midwaters or near the surface), potamodromous (migratory), freshwater fish species. It occurs in any habitat but favours floodplains with large sluggish rivers, lakes and dams. It can endure harsh conditions such as turbidity or desiccation. Can move over land under damp conditions if necessary by extending pectoral spines and crawling. Completely omnivorous and preys, scavenges or grabs on virtually any available organic food source including fish, birds, frogs, small mammals, reptiles, snails, crabs, shrimps, insects and other invertebrates ans plant matter such as seeds and fruits. The species may hunt in packs, herding and trapping smaller fishes. It breeds in summer after rains, when large numbers of mature fishes migrate to flooded shallows grassy verges of rivers and lakes. Eggs are laid on vegetation and hatch within 25-40 hours; larvae are free-swimming and feed within two to three days, remaining inshore within vegetation cover. Growth of African Sharptooth Catfish is rapid, but is greatly depended on local conditions (Skelton 2001).

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