GIANT AFRICAN THREADFIN

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GIANT AFRICAN THREADFIN

Scientific Name: 
Polydactylus quadrifilis
Salt/Fresh: 
Salt
Also Known As: 
Barbo; Barbudo; Capitaine; Ntsena; GIANT AFRICAN THREADFIN
Rating: 
Countries: 
Other Countries
Description: 

Giant African Threadfin is a fish species in the family Polynemidae. There are two varieties: one freshwater and one saltwater. Both have white flesh and are cooked similarly to European seabass.

How To Identify: 

It is relatively elongate somewhat compressed fish with an inferior mouth overhanging blunt snout. The maxilla reaches past the eye, it's posterior edge greatly expanded. There are 4-5 detached threadlike lower rays on the pectoral fins, which are only slightly longer than the upper pectoral rays. Coloration of the Giant African Threadfin is dull silvery gray or brownish on the back shading to whitish ventrally; a dark smudge sometimes is present on the gill cover.

How To Catch: 

The Giant African Threadfin is highly respected for the strong tackle-testing fighting abilities. Giant African Threadfin can be especially difficult on fly, where an accurate presentation is often necessary to elicit a strike. Once hooked, Giant African Threadfin are unpedictable, erratic fighters. 

Where Found: 

Internationally

Giant African Threadfin occurs in the shallow and often muddy waters of estuaries and lagoons or along beaches in the Eastern Atlantic from Senegal to Congo. 

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