| Vundu Temporal range: Lower Pliocene - Recent |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Family: | Clariidae |
| Genus: | Heterobranchus |
| Species: | H. longifilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Heterobranchus longifilis Valenciennes, 1840[1] |
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The vundu (Heterobranchus longifilis) is a catfish found in the African countries of Niger, Senegal, Egypt, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Zambia. It is also called the cur, lenda, or certa.[2]
The vundu catfish can survive out of water for extensive periods of time.[3] Heterobranchus longifilis can live for up to 12 years.[2]
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The vundu is the largest freshwater species in southern Africa, reaching up to 150 cm in length. The maximum recorded weight is 55.0 kg.[1] Few other catfish have such large second dorsal (adipose) fins or such long barbels as do the Vundu. Its barbels nearly reach to the origin of the pelvic fin. The colour of Heterobranchus longifilis is light to dark olive brown on its dorsal surface, getting lighter over the mid-body to a light brown. Its belly is off-white. Fins are usually light brown.[4]
The habitat of the vundu is deep lakes and rivers including the Nile, Benue Rivers as well as in the Congo system. Heterobranchus longifilis is also found in Lake Kariba Zambezi, Tanganyika and Edward. This species prefers deep waters and generally come up at night to feed on fish, small vertebrates, and offal.[2]