Occurs from the lower reaches
of rivers to the deepest habitable parts of the lake and inhabits
a variety of habitats. Feeds on small demersal cichlids during the
night. Juveniles mainly feed on trophic eggs released by the female,
whilst the male helps the young in searching for invertebrates in
and around the nest. Mutualistic relationship with cichlids concerning
defense and feeding of young of both the cichlid and B. meridionalis.
Symbiotic relationship of parasitized host-parasite eater exist
with Pseudotropheus crabro, which eats away necrotic tissue
and parasites, but also steals eggs. Oviparous. Can produce sound
as Amia or Synodontis species. Considered as a
delicacy when smoked, making it one of the most highly priced fishes
of Malawi. Aquarium Care: Not
a fish for your community tank as it will eat anything that it can
fit into its mouth. You can of course keep it as a juvenile in a
Rift Valley set-up containing cichlids from the lake as long as
the occupants are larger than the catfish. When it gets to an adult
size it would do better on its own in a very large tank but realistically
it is a fish for the public aquarium when it gets to that size.
Common
Name:
Kampango
Synonyms:
Porcus
meridionalis
Family:
Bagridaemblycipitidae
Distribution:
Africa: Shire River and Lake Malawi. Type
locality: Upper Shire River (British Central Africa).
Size:
150cm (
5ft)
Temp:
24-27°C
(75-81°F)
p.H.
7.5-8.2.
Reference:
Froese, R. and
D. Pauly. Editors. 2009.FishBase. World Wide Web electronic
publication. www.fishbase.org, version (11/2009). ScotCat Factsheet no. 86. Aug. 2003.
Family: Bagridae
Click
on thumbnails
Bagrus meridionalis
Adult
Bagrus
meridionalis 15cm. Juvenile
Bagrus
meridionalis
This picture is taken at Mumbo Island
in the national park (Cape maclear) from a trip undertaken by
Carsten Larsen in 2001. Aproximate depth at time is 11 metres
and the water was really cloudy.
The size of the fish is around 75- 85cm.. so not fully grown.
