Vundu

Vundu
Temporal range: Lower Pliocene - Recent
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Clariidae
Genus: Heterobranchus
Species: H. longifilis
Binomial name
Heterobranchus longifilis
Valenciennes, 1840[1]

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]

Contents

Description

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]

Habitat and range

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]

References

Further reading