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Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes)
Etymology: Clarias: Greek, chlaros = lively, in reference to the ability of the fish to live for a long time out of water.
More on author: Pellegrin.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243). Tropical; 7°N - 4°N
Africa: Dodo River (Ivory Coast) to the lower Niger and Niger Delta (Nigeria)(Ref. 57129). Probably also in the Cavally (Ref. 13331, 57129).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 31.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 57129); max. published weight: 240.00 g (Ref. 41457)
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 72 - 89; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 55 - 71; Vertebrae: 59 - 64. Diagnosis: head oval-shaped in dorsal outline; snout slightly rounded; eyes dorsally located (Ref. 248). Frontal fontanella short and wide/squat (Ref. 248, 57129). Occipital fontanelle rather long and oval-shaped; "dermosphenotic" and supraorbital bones joined; tooth plates small; suprabranchial organ not well developed (Ref. 248). Distance between occipital process and dorsal-fin base short (4.9-9.3% of standard length); pectoral spine serrated on both sides (Ref. 57129).
Coloration: live fish as well as preserved specimens very light-coloured: back and sides yellowish brown, belly lighter; some specimens show submarginal blackish marks on vertical fins (Ref. 57129).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: circular.
Facultative air-breathing (Ref. 126274); Occurs in lagoons and coastal rivers (Ref. 248). Feeds on insects, mollusks and crustaceans (Ref. 41457).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Teugels, G.G., 1986. A systematic revision of the African species of the genus Clarias (Pisces; Clariidae). Ann. Mus. R. Afr. Centr., Sci. Zool., 247:199 p. (Ref. 248)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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