Fish of the Congo River

The worlds deepest river and second-largest by discharge - home to over 700 fish species, many still undescribed.

Continent: Africa Area: 4,014,500 km² Max Depth: 220m Climate: Tropical

📖 Overview

The Congo River is second only to the Amazon in freshwater discharge but has depths reaching 220 meters - the deepest river in the world. Its lower reaches contain gorges and rapids of extraordinary power. Isolated pools within the rapids have generated ~300 endemic cichlid species with unique adaptations to fast water. The Congos ichthyology remains understudied - new species are described nearly every year.

🐟 Notable Species

Tigerfish (Hydrocynus goliath - up to 50 kg with 32 dagger teeth). Congo tetra. Blind cichlid. Elephant nose fish. Upside-down catfish. Numerous mormyrid electric fish.