Top Marbled Lungfish Fishing Countries

The marbled lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus) is a unique, air-breathing freshwater fish native to central and eastern Africa, recognized for its elongated, eel-like body and distinctive marbled coloration. This species thrives in slow-moving rivers, swamps, and floodplains, where it can survive seasonal droughts by burrowing into mud and breathing air. The marbled lungfish is primarily harvested for local consumption, with its flesh considered a delicacy in several African countries. The top marbled lungfish fishing nations include Uganda, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Tanzania, particularly around the Nile and Lake Victoria basins. In these regions, the fish is caught using traditional methods such as nets and traps, supporting local economies and subsistence livelihoods, although it is not a major export commodity on the global market.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.