Semutundu
📖 Overview
Inhabit lakes, swamps and rivers . Widespread in both shallow and deep water . Probably associated with rocky bottoms/coarse substrates . Mostly active during the night and the twilight hours . Juveniles may frequent exposed rocky shores . Feed on insects, crustaceans, molluscs and fish; some debris and vegetable matter may also be ingested . Moderately important as a food species in Lake Victoria, but becoming rare with the appearance of Nile perch . Catches decreased strongly in Lake Victoria after the Lates upsurge . Predation by Lates and competition with Lates (for haplochromines) may have played a role in the decline . A notably recovery in waters between 3m and 6m depth in Lake Victoria has been reported . Second most important food species in Lake Edward, Congo .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 1; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 11 - 14; Vertebrae: 46 - 49. Diagnosis: head depressed , broad, about 1.3-1.6 times as long as wide , squarish when viewed from above , without rough texture . Head width measured at base of preopercle 58.9-71.8% head length; 12-16 gill rakers on first gill arch . Body slightly elongated, 5-6 times longer than deep . Four pairs of barbels . Premaxillary tooth plate 5-7 times longer than wide, a little shorter than and about as broad as the band of vomerine teeth . Premaxillary toothplate width less than 2.5 times in head length . Occipital process 3-5 times longer than wide . Predorsal length 2.4-2.7 times in standard length; 9-10 branched dorsal fin rays, not or only slightly filamentous . Long adipose dorsal fin present . Standard length/caudal peduncle length 2.4-2.7 . Upper lobe of caudal fin often with a short filament . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Semutundu is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Semutundu is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Distinct pairing .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.5 - 8.2; dH range: ? - 30; depth range 0 - 80 m , usually 0 - 70 m . Tropical; 21°C - 25°C distributed throughout Tchad, Niger, Volta, Senegal (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
insects, crustaceans, molluscs and fish; some debris and vegetable matter may also be ingested (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Semutundu is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 16.8 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 389 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Semutundu has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Semutundu · Semutundu Catfish · Silver Catfish · Sudan Catfish |
| 🌍AFR | Mpono · Ngoma |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Bayad · Ab chanap · Aboushanap · Abu shanad · Bagar Dogmag · Kabaroce · Kabarus |
| 🌍CES | sumíček zelenkavý |
| 🇩🇪German | Nilwels · Schweinewels |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Нильская косатка |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bagrus docmac | Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire | 1809 | Synonym |
| Bagrus docmac docmac | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Bagrus docmac niger | Daget | 1954 | Synonym |
| Bagrus docmak niger | Daget | 1954 | Synonym |
| Bagrus docmar | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Bagrus docmoc | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Bagrus domac | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Bagrus koenigi | Pietschmann | 1932 | Synonym |
| Porcus docmac | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Porcus docmac docmac | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Porcus docmac niger | Daget | 1954 | Synonym |
| Silurus docmac | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
| Silurus docmak | Forsskål | 1775 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 76 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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