| Family: |
Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes) |
| Max. size: |
20.9 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater; depth range 10 - 79 m |
| Distribution: |
Africa: endemic to Lake Victoria, occuring in the deeper waters (Ref. 78218, 104723, 104726). |
| Diagnosis: |
|
| Biology: |
Absence of suprabranchial respiratory organs and reduction of suprabranchial chamber as adaptation to deep-water habitat (Ref. 104723, 104726). Inhabits deeper areas of Lake Victoria (10 to 79 m); mostly found over muddy bottoms, not far from steep, rocky zones where it is believed to breed; sexual maturity is reached at ca. 11 cm SL (Ref. 104726). Entirely insectivorous, with preference of Chironomidae over Chaoboridae larvae (Ref. 1047726), but fish remains have also been found (Ref. 78218).
Xenoclarias eupogon is an endemic species of Lake Victoria which is threatened with extinction or has already disappeared due to predation by Nile perch and other recent ecological impacts (Ref. 35948). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 30 September 2015 (A2acde) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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