Heterobranchus bidorsalis

Heterobranchus bidorsalis
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Siluriformes
Family:	Clariidae
Genus:	Heterobranchus
Species:	H. bidorsalis
Binomial name
Heterobranchus bidorsalis É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1809
Synonyms
Heterobranchus geoffroyi Valenciennes, 1840 Heterobranchus senegalensis Valenciennes, 1840 Heterobranchus intermedius Günther, 1864

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

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 in) 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.

Relationship to humans

This fish is commercially fished for human consumption.

Habitat and distribution

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