Citharinus

Adults reach impressive sizes: their length can range from 50 to 60 cm, and their weight up to 7 kg. The fish's body is deep and noticeably compressed laterally, and the head is large. The main coloration is typically a uniform silvery hue. The edges of the caudal, pelvic, and anal fins have a reddish tint. Young individuals may display dark stripes on their bodies, which serve as camouflage, helping them hide from predators in dense aquatic vegetation.

The common citharinus inhabits large and medium-sized rivers of tropical Africa, including the basins of the Senegal, Gambia, Niger, Volta, Ouémé, Chad, and Nile rivers. It is also found in Lakes Turkana and Albert. It is a demersal species, preferring areas with soft substrate, where it feeds on detritus and phytoplankton.

These fish are distinguished by their peaceful and calm disposition. They easily coexist with both their own kind and other large species, showing no aggression. However, caution is advised, as small fish may accidentally become their prey.

For comfortable existence, Citharinus require very spacious aquariums, with a volume of at least 500 liters per individual. The aquarium's decor does not play a decisive role. The most suitable conditions for these fish are subdued lighting and the presence of shelters created from large snags or other natural, as well as artificial, decorative elements. It is important that the aquarium equipment matches its size. Special attention should be paid to the filtration system: it must be high-performance, but without creating an excessively strong current. In their natural habitat, Citharinus feed on periphyton—a community of hydrobionts consisting of microorganisms and plants that grow on the surfaces of stones and snags. In home conditions, providing such food is quite difficult, so their diet can consist of any available sinking foods. Specialized feeds used on fish farms for raising carp and trout will be a good solution.

In natural conditions, their diet consists of periphyton—a community of hydrobionts, including microorganisms and vegetation, that attach to the surface of stones and snags. Replicating such food in a home aquarium is quite problematic. Therefore, Citharinus can be fed any popular sinking foods, as well as products intended for raising carp or trout on fish farms.

In nature, this species is an anadromous fish, migrating for spawning. Reproduction occurs through mass egg-laying, with the fish showing no parental care. Reliable information on successful breeding of this species in aquarium conditions is absent, which is due to the significant size of adult individuals and specific requirements for the spawning environment, mimicking seasonal changes in conditions in large African rivers.

No diseases that affect only this species have been described. Under suitable conditions — clean water, a balanced diet and calm tank mates — health problems usually do not arise. The most common cause of illness is a decline in conditions: it weakens the immune system, and the fish becomes vulnerable to infections that are always present in an aquarium. At the first signs of trouble — lethargy, wasting, refusal of food or clamped fins — check the basic water parameters and the levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate first. Restoring acceptable conditions often lets the fish recover on its own.

When choosing a fish, its significant potential size, reaching 58 cm, must be considered, as this requires very large aquariums. A healthy specimen should swim actively, have no visible scale damage, ulcers, or signs of emaciation. Due to their natural feeding habits, it is important to ask the seller if the fish is adapted to commercially available foods, as this species is a specialized consumer of detritus and plankton.