West African lungfish

What it is

This fish has a long, eel-like body with an olive or brown back and a lighter belly marked by dark spots. Its eyes are small and partially blind, so it relies on sensory lines along its snout to detect water movement. Two pairs of long, thread-like fins help it move. The pectoral fins are about three times the length of its head, while the pelvic fins are twice as long. It can grow up to one metre in length and weigh four kilograms. Cycloid scales are embedded in its skin, with dozens arranged between the gill cover and the tail.

Where it lives

It lives in freshwater habitats such as swamps, backwaters and small rivers across West and Central Africa. Its range extends into the northern half of Southern Africa. Specific countries include Senegal, Niger, Gambia, Western Sudan, Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone and Guinea. A subspecies lives near the Zambezi, Pungwe and Sabi rivers. The fish prefers demersal zones, often staying buried in riverbeds. Dry seasons are common in these areas, forcing the rivers and floodplains to shrink or disappear entirely for parts of the year.

How it lives

The diet is omnivorous, including other fish, earthworms, plants and crustaceans. Strong jaws allow it to crush prey, while suction helps it sift through mud. It can survive without food for up to three and a half years. During dry periods, it enters a dormant state called aestivation. It buries itself in mud up to 45 centimetres deep. As the mud dries, secreted mucus forms a hard cocoon that prevents dehydration. A small tube allows air to reach the pharynx. The fish breathes atmospheric air every thirty minutes using paired lungs, as its internal gills collapse during this dormancy.

Breeding and life cycle

Spawning occurs during the wet season when males build nests. The female lays around 200 eggs, each about four millimetres wide with a transparent protective membrane. Healthy eggs appear white outside and pink inside. Males provide all parental care, guarding the eggs until they hatch after roughly one week. They continue to protect the larvae for about two months. During this time, the young absorb their external gills and develop fully functional lungs. Mature individuals grow fused tooth plates used for chewing, a trait rare among fish.

Fish and people

Local communities in Africa consume this fish regularly. It is a common sight in markets in Uganda, where catches reached tens of thousands of tons in the late twentieth century before declining. Kenyan catches have also dropped since 2005. Beyond nutrition, traditional beliefs attribute medicinal properties to the species. Some claim it helps with lactation issues in women, treats alcoholism, improves male sexual performance and boosts the immune system. These uses are based on local tradition rather than clinical verification. Fishing pressure varies by region and decade.

Status and threats

The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the species as Least Concern. However, exact population numbers and density estimates remain unknown. More research is required to understand the total population size. While catches in some areas like Uganda and Kenya have decreased in recent decades, the species remains widespread. Its ability to survive harsh dry seasons through aestivation contributes to its resilience. Habitat loss and overfishing are potential threats, but the current assessment suggests the population is stable enough to avoid immediate threat categories.

Questions people ask about West African lungfish

Good reading and sources

• West African lungfish on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data