Species

Vundu

Vundu catfish. The largest true freshwater fish of southern Africa: a nocturnal giant catfish with long barbels and a big adipose fin, famous on the Zambezi and Lake Kariba.

Heterobranchus longifilis

Photo: Cuvier, G. and A. Valenciennes, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain, adjusted to 3:2

Spawning: The sources give no spawning season.
Typical method: Night-time bottom fishing in deep pools and drop-offs (rule of thumb, based on its nocturnal habits per FishBase)
Top bait: Cut fish

Plan a day fishing for Vundu

How to recognise it

Very long barbels that reach almost to the base of the pelvic fins
Huge adipose fin about as long as the dorsal fin, blackish at the rear
Light to dark olive-brown above, sharply defined off-white belly, pale bar on the tail

Easily confused with: The African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) often shares the same water but has no adipose fin: its long dorsal fin runs almost to the tail (FishBase, German Wikipedia). Fish farms cross the two species (Wikipedia).

How to catch it

Methods: Night-time bottom fishing in deep pools and drop-offs (rule of thumb, based on its nocturnal habits per FishBase), Still fishing with smelly baits such as offal or cut fish (rule of thumb), Heavy tackle and strong line, the fish heads for snags (rule of thumb), Boat fishing on Lake Kariba and the Zambezi (rule of thumb)

Baits: Cut fish, Chicken liver or offal, Whole dead baitfish, Chunk of meat

At night, as vundu are mainly active after dark (FishBase). The sources give no season; ask your operator about the best months.

Habitat and food

Nile, Congo system, upper and middle Zambezi, plus lakes Rukwa, Tanganyika and Edward and the lower Zambezi; in West Africa the Gambia, upper Senegal, Niger, Benue, Lake Chad, Volta and coastal basins from Guinea to Nigeria, also the Cross, Sanaga (Cameroon) and Ogowe (Gabon) (FishBase). Lives in large, deep rivers in the main channel, in deep pools, lakes and backwaters (FishBase); there is a large population in Lake Kariba (English and German Wikipedia). It can also breathe air (FishBase) and survive out of water for long periods (Wikipedia). Main destinations for anglers are Zimbabwe and Zambia (Zambezi, Lake Kariba).

Nocturnal omnivorous predator: small vundu eat invertebrates and insects, large ones fish and small vertebrates; it also scavenges carcasses and offal from riverside villages (FishBase). It has poor eyesight and finds food by smell and vibration (Wikipedia). In Lake Nasser it is considered a pest because it damages nets (German Wikipedia).

Size and age

FishBase: max. 150 cm (standard length), maximum published weight 55 kg, lives 12 years or more; in West Africa and Lower Guinea the largest measured fish was 61 cm. English and German Wikipedia give the same 1.5 m and 55 kg.

Protection and rules

Conservation status: IUCN: Least Concern (assessed 2019; FishBase). The species is uncommon and has declined locally (Wikipedia). Licences and rules vary by country and protected area, for example in the Zambezi valley; check with your operator and the authority before you travel.

Rules by country

Size limits, bag limits, seasons and licences are set by each country, in the USA by each state. Pescaday does not list these rules: check them with your operator and the national authority before you fish. Notes with sources are given above under conservation status. Fishing travel guide

In the kitchen

A food fish of local importance; farmed in ponds and aquaculture in Nigeria (German Wikipedia).

Sources (4)

Last checked 2026-10-22. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].

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