Ctenopoma (African Bushfish) Identification Guide
Recognize the African Bushfish by its leaf-shaped mottled body and dorsal and anal fins set far back toward the tail.
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Key identification features
- Elongated, laterally compressed, leaf-shaped body
- Mottled brown, olive, and tan camouflage pattern that breaks up its outline
- Long dorsal and anal fins positioned far back, close to the tail base
- Large, slightly upturned mouth suited to ambushing prey
- Rounded caudal fin
- Air-breathing labyrinth organ used to gulp surface air in oxygen-poor water
- Reaches roughly 15-20 cm
Common look-alikes
- Leopard bushfish: shows bold dark spots and blotches rather than diffuse mottling, with a slightly shorter snout
- African leaf fish: much smaller, more pointed at both ends, and mimics a dead leaf drifting in the water
- Climbing perch: has a spiny-edged gill cover the bushfish lacks, plus a smoother, less mottled body pattern
Where you'll see one
This species is found in slow-flowing rivers, swamps, and seasonally flooded plains across West and Central Africa, from Senegal east to the Nile basin. It hides motionless among submerged branches and vegetation, relying on camouflage before ambushing small fish and invertebrates that stray too close.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell this apart from the leopard bushfish?
Look at the pattern: the African bushfish shows mottled, blended coloring, while the leopard bushfish has distinct, well-defined dark spots scattered over a paler body.
What fin placement helps confirm the ID?
Both the dorsal and anal fins sit unusually far back near the tail, giving the rear of the body a fuller, almost fan-shaped profile.