In this study, morphological differences were found that corroborate earlier results that showed the existence of six species within the previously monospecific African pike genus Hepsetus . Additional genetic data ( coI , mtDNA and rag1 , nDNA) confirm the morphology‐based species delineations. Deep genetic divergences imply a relatively old age for diversification within the genus. An identification key for the six species is provided in the present study.