Sampa Catfish Care Guide
Heterobranchus longifilis is a very large African air-breathing catfish of the family Clariidae, reaching up to 150 cm, mainly important in aquaculture.
Overview
Heterobranchus longifilis is a very large African catfish of the family Clariidae (airbreathing catfishes), described by Valenciennes in 1840. FishBase lists a standard length up to 150 cm and a maximum weight of 55 kg, and notes the species can live for 12 or more years. It is a facultative air-breather and is mainly important as a food and aquaculture fish rather than a home-aquarium subject.
Taxonomy
- Family: Clariidae
- Order: Siluriformes
- Genus: Heterobranchus
- Scientific name: Heterobranchus longifilis
- Authority: Valenciennes, 1840
Habitat
Despite some trade descriptions, the species is African, not South American. FishBase records it from the Nile, the Congo system, the upper and middle Zambezi, Lakes Tanganyika and Edward, and many West African and Lower Guinea drainages including the Gambia, Senegal, Niger, Benue, Lake Chad, Volta, Cross, Sanaga and Ogowe. It is a freshwater, demersal, potamodromous fish, most active at night.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 2000 L (public or specialist systems only)
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-7.5
- GH: 5-18 °dGH
- Lifespan: 12+ years
- Requires access to the surface for air-breathing
Diet
Heterobranchus longifilis is a carnivore. FishBase reports that juveniles feed on invertebrates and insects while adults take fish and small vertebrates, and the species scavenges carcasses. It is described as feeding on any available food, especially at night.
Compatibility
Given its eventual size and predatory habits, it can only be combined with similarly large fishes; anything small enough to swallow will be eaten. It is realistically a subject for public aquaria and aquaculture rather than home tanks.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2019). The species supports minor commercial fisheries and commercial aquaculture.