African bonytongue

No chin barbels; a smaller mouth and a broad natural diet

Large grey-silver to olive scales, a small terminal mouth and rounded tail form a robust outline, with dorsal and anal fins on the rear half.

Adult length

Up to 100 cm (standard length, without the tail fin)

Water temperature

25–30 °C

Natural habitat

Adults inhabit open and nearshore waters of rivers and lakes; juveniles often occupy vegetated swamps.

A large-growing fish. Juvenile availability does not mean long-term suitability for ordinary home aquaria. Eating detritus does not remove the need for deliberate feeding.