Vundu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids VunduTemporal range: Lower Pliocene - Present
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The vundu (Heterobranchus longifilis) is a very large airbreathing catfish. You can find it in many rivers and freshwater places across sub-Saharan Africa and also in the Nile river. People sometimes call it by other names like sampa, cur, lenda, or certa.
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Vundu Fish Features
The vundu is the biggest true freshwater fish in southern Africa. It can grow up to 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) long. It can also weigh as much as 55 kilograms (about 121 pounds).
This catfish has some special features. It has very large second dorsal fins, also called adipose fins. Its long barbels are also unique. These barbels are like whiskers and almost reach its pelvic fins.
The vundu fish is usually light to dark olive brown on its back. This color gets lighter towards its middle body. Its belly is an off-white color. Its fins are typically light brown.
Hybrid Catfish
Sometimes, in fish farms, the vundu is bred with another large fish. This other fish is the African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus). The fish that are born from this mix are called "Hetero-clarias."
Where Vundu Fish Live
The vundu lives in many rivers and freshwater areas. It is found all over sub-Saharan Africa. It also lives in the Nile River, though it is rare in the lower parts.
You can find the vundu in rivers like the Benue River, Volta River, and Niger River. It also lives in lakes such as Lake Chad, Lake Rukwa, and Lake Kariba. Other homes include the Congo River Basin and Zambezi River.
Vundu Fish Habits
The vundu fish is not very common, but it is not considered in danger. It is most active at night. It eats almost anything it can find. When it is small, it eats invertebrates and insects. As it grows bigger, it eats other fish and small animals. It also eats leftover food from large dead animals or from villages near rivers.
Vundu fish can live for 12 years or even longer. They can also survive out of water for a long time. This is a special ability for a fish!
How Vundu Fish Find Food
Vundu fish do not see very well. Because of this, they use vibrations and smells to find their food. They like to stay in deep water. This helps them find all the food they need.
What vundu fish eat affects how they grow. It also changes how well they use their food and their body's minerals. If vundu fish are raised in captivity, their diet is important. If they eat meals mostly made from soy or cotton, they might not grow as much. It's okay to change their diet a little. But changing it completely can be bad because they might not get enough protein.
