| Family: |
Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes) |
| Max. size: |
150 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 30 kg |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Nile (Ref. 3820), Senegal, Gambia, Volta,
Niger, Benue rivers and Lake Chad (Ref. 57129). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 40-46; Anal soft rays: 49-58; Vertebrae: 62-63. Diagnosis: length of rayed dorsal fin 37-42% standard length; 40-46 dorsal-fin rays; length of adipose fin 22-27% standard length (Ref. 57129). No serrations on the anterior part of the pectoral spine (Ref. 270, 57129). Head oval-shaped to rectangular dorsally; snout broadly rounded; eyes rather laterally placed; frontal fontanelle long and narrow; occipital fontanelle relatively long and oval shaped; 'postorbital' bones completely united; suprabranchial organ well developed; pectoral spine smooth; openings of secondary sensory canals with regular geometric pattern (Ref. 270).
Coloration: preserved specimens: greyish-brown on back and sides, pale brown on belly; some specimens show a marbled colouration, particularly on posterior part of body; caudal fin often with one or more vertical cross-bars (Ref. 57129). Body and fins occasionally with irregularly placed spots (Ref. 270). |
| Biology: |
Hardly anything is known about the biology of this species (Ref. 78218). Maximum reported size for West Africa: 800 mm TL (Ref. 57129).
|
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 November 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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