Probably the most widely distributed fish in Africa, the sharptooth catfish is found throughout woodland-savanna zones of the Afro-tropical region from the Nile to as far south as the Orange system and the Umtamvuna. It has been translocated to the eastern Cape widely introduced to other parts of Africa and to Europe and Asia, including the countries of Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey.
The sharptooth catfish occurs in almost any habitat but favors flood plains, large sluggish rivers, lakes and dams and can tolerant of extreme environmental conditions. The presence of an accessory breathing organ enables this species to breath air when very active or under conditions of turbidity or desiccation. It is frequently the last inhabitant of drying rivers or lakes where it may form burrows. It can even move overland under damp conditions by “crawling” with its pectoral spines.
While usually a bottom feeder, it occasionally feeds at the surface. It is completely omnivorous, preying or scavenging, on virtually any available food source including fish, birds, frogs, small mammals, reptiles, snails, crabs, shrimps, insects, and plant matter such as seeds and fruit, and is even capable of straining fine plankton if necessary. It has been known to hunt in packs, herding and trapping smaller fishes.
| DISTRIBUTION: | Africa |
| MAX SIZE: | 110 lb / 50 kg |
| MAX LENGHT: | 75 inch / 190 cm |
| MAX AGE: | Unknown |
| ENVIRONMENT: | Freshwater |