Kampango

Kampango
Conservation status
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Siluriformes
Family:	Bagridae
Genus:	Bagrus
Species:	B. meridionalis
Binomial name
Bagrus meridionalis Günther, 1894

The kampango or kampoyo (Bagrus meridionalis) is a

The kampango is among the largest fish in the Lake Malawi basin, reaching up to about 1 m (3.3 ft) long,^[1][3] or possibly even 1.5 m (4.9 ft).^[2] A common length is around 42 cm (1.4 ft) and females are typically larger than males.^[2] Adults are overall blackish, while young are grey with dark spots.^[3] During the day kampangos hide in caves,^[3] but around dusk or dawn they hunt and eat their prey, primarily cichlids.^[1]

Breeding

The male digs a shallow nest in the sandy bottom, often near rocks, where the female lays several thousand eggs.

In contrast to the nest predators and parasites, certain cichlids, especially Copadichromis pleurostigmoides, Ctenopharynx pictus and Rhamphochromis, will release their young near nesting kampango. The kampango and cichlid parents both protect the mixed group, resulting in a significantly higher survival rate of the kampango young.^[1][6]

Relationship with humans

Kampango are highly prized as an eating fish, and are caught using nets and more commonly line caught, mainly in deep water around

Traditionally regarded as one of the most widespread and common fish in its range, the kampango has declined drastically because of