Clarias longior Boulenger, 1907

Family:  Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes)
Max. size:  22.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Nyong (Ref. 81644), Kribi and Lobi/Lobe (Ref. 248, 78218, 81644) in Cameroon, Ntem River in Cameroon (Ref. 248, 78218, 81644), Equatorial Guinea (Ref. 248, 78218) and Gabon (Ref. 81644), and the OgoouĂ© in Gabon (Ref. 81644). Reports from the Sanaga and Dja in Cameroon (Ref. 51193) questionable and unconfirmed in Ref. 248 or 78218, but a collection point is present on the distribution map in Ref. 81644.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 74-85; Anal soft rays: 61-71; Vertebrae: 60-63. Diagnosis: body extremely elongate (depth 9.3-13.3% SL, mean 11.0); 9-12 rakers on first gill arch (Ref. 81644). Head rounded in dorsal outline (Ref. 248), rather short (HL 18.3-22.8% SL, mean 20.2) and wide (width 14.1-17.0% SL, mean 15.4)(Ref. 81644). Snout broadly rounded (Ref. 248). Eyes small and laterally placed (Ref. 248). Interorbital width large (45.4-50.7% HL, mean 47.7)(Ref. 81644). Postorbital margin not entirely covered with bone; frontal fontanelle long and narrow; occipital fontanelle long and oval-shaped; supra-orbital and "dermosphenotic" bones separated; tooth plates relatively broad; pectoral spine straight (Ref. 248). Pectoral spine slightly serrate on its anterior face, with serrations downward oriented (Ref. 248, 81644). Gill rakers relatively long and distantly set; suprabranchial organ well developed (Ref. 248). Openings of secondary sensory canals show a regular pattern (Ref. 248, 81644). Coloration: preserved specimens with uniform colouration; back, flanks and upper parts of paired fins dark brown to reddish brown; ventrum and lower parts of paired fins pale brown to beige (Ref. 81644).
Biology:  Practically nothing is known about the biology of this species (Ref. 78218).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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