Bulldog
📖 Overview
Caught with dipnets in the Kafue floodplain, Zambia. Prefers well-vegetated, muddy bottomed marginal habitats of rivers and floodplains. A shoaling species which moves inshore after dark. Migrates within rivers. Recorded to move up tributaries in shoals during flood season . Feeds on invertebrates, especially midge and mayfly larvae and pupae taken from the bottom and off plant stems. Breeds during the rainy season in shallow vegetated localities; females carry up to 6,000 eggs . Possesses electroreceptors over the entire head and on the ventral and dorsal regions of the body, but absent from the side and the caudal peduncle where the electric organ is located .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 24; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 26 - 31. Diagnosis: Marcusenius macrolepidotus is best distinguished from M. altisambesi by the number of circumpeduncular scales, which is 12-18 vs. 12-14, and an electric organ discharge lacking an initial head-negativity; from M. devosi by the number of scales in linear series along the lateral line row, which is 52-62 vs. 56-66, shorter caudal peduncle length, and weaker Namp of its electric organ discharge; from M. pongolensis by the number of scales in linear series along the lateral line row, which is 52-62 vs. 70-76, the umber of circumpeduncular scales, which is 12-18 vs. 16-20, a greater body depth, and longer Ndur of its electric organ discharge in females and juveniles; and from M. angolensis by its lower number of anal fin rays, being less than 31 vs. 33, and dorsal fin rays, being less than 24 vs. 26, and a higher number of circumpeduncular scales . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Bulldog is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Bulldog is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 7.0 - ? ; dH range: 10 - ?; potamodromous . Tropical; 22°C - 24°C ; 20°S - 31°S east Tete, if not Victoria Falls, and the lower Shire River; also Pungwe, Buzi and Mulela Rivers (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
invertebrates, especially midge and mayfly larvae and pupae taken from the bottom and off plant stem
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Bulldog 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 | 17.8 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 562 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Bulldog has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gnathonemus graeverti | Steindachner | 1914 | Synonym |
| Gnathonemus macrolepidotus | Peters | 1852 | Synonym |
| Gnathonemus macrolepidotus macrolepidotus | Peters | 1852 | Synonym |
| Gnathonemus moeruensis | Boulenger | 1915 | Synonym |
| Gnathonemus okavangensis | Pappenheim | 1907 | Synonym |
| Gnathonemus rhodesianus | Määr | 1962 | Synonym |
| Hippopotamyrus macrolepidotus | Peters | 1852 | Synonym |
| Marcusenius graeverti | Steindachner | 1914 | Synonym |
| Marcusenius macrolepidotus macrolepidotus | Peters | 1852 | Synonym |
| Marcusenius moeruensis | Boulenger | 1915 | Synonym |
| Marcusenius rhodesianus | Määr | 1962 | Synonym |
| Mormyrops macrolepidotus | Peters | 1852 | Synonym |
| Mormyrus macrolepidotus | Peters | 1852 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 192 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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