Catfish
📖 Overview
Facultative air-breathing ; Nothing is known regarding the biology of this species . Max. reported size of C. laeviceps laeviceps and C. laeviceps dialonensis is 317mm TL and 257mm TL respectively
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 74 - 93; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 60 - 75; Vertebrae: 65 - 69. Diagnosis: body very elongate, its depth 9.1-13.6% SL (m = 12.0) . Head short and broad , oval-shaped dorsally , its length 17.8-22.7% SL (m=21.1), its width 13.4-17.0% SL (m=16.0) . Snout broadly rounded; eyes more laterally placed . Interorbital distance large, 44.7-54.8% HL (m = 49.5) . Tooth plates broad , width of premaxillary plate 31.8-41.3% HL, width of vomerine plate 25.6-35.0% HL . Frontal fontanelle intermediate between "knife-shaped" and "sole-shaped"; occipital fontanelle rather long and oval shaped; supraorbital and "dermosphenotic" bones become joined in specimens between 80 and 100 mm TL . Dorsal and anal fins very long (63.2-72.0% and 49.7-57.6% SL respectively) . Gill rakers small, slender and distantly set; suprabranchial organ partially fills chamber; pectoral spine rather thin and slightly curved . Coloration: no information on colour in life . Preserved specimens: 2 types of colouration: one uniform, with back and sides blackish-brown and belly beige; and a marbled pattern with light spots against a dark background on back and sides, and pale brown on belly . Caudal fin with dark vertical bar occupying 2/3 of its base, dividing it in a dark anterior and a light posterior part .: elongated; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical; 8°N - 3°N found in the upper Niger in Guinea (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarias dialonensis | Daget | 1962 | Synonym |
| Clarias kingsleyae | Günther | 1903 | Synonym |
| Clarias laeviceps dialonensis | Daget | 1962 | Synonym |
| Clarias laeviceps laeviceps | Gill | 1862 | Synonym |
| Clarias vandenhoutei | Poll | 1941 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 42 records indexed .
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