Smoothhead catfish
📖 Overview
Facultative air-breathing ; Occurs in marginal water-lily and papyrus swamps as well as in marginal weed beds; abundant in high mountain streams and torrents and on the bottom among stones; not found in any situation lower than about 915 m above sea level nor in water of a higher temperature than 18 °C . In the Rukwa and Malawi drainage they are sometimes found in very cold upland streams . These fishes are omnivores, feeding on insect larvae and sometimes also fishes .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 67 - 79; Anal soft rays: 53 - 67; Vertebrae: 55 - 58. Pectoral fin spine with serrations on the inner and upward directed on the outer side . Head oval to rectangular dorsally; snout broadly rounded; eyes more laterally located. Frontal fontanelle intermediate between `knife-shaped' and `sole-shaped'; occipital fontanelle long and oval-shaped. Supraorbital and `dermosphenotic' bones generally joined above 150 mm SL and more dorsally placed. Tooth plates relatively broad. Pectoral spine relatively short; its outer side strongly serrated over entire length. Gill rakers short and far apart. Openings of secondary sensory canals regularly arranged on flanks.: elongated; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Smoothhead catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical; 22°C - 28°C ; 2°N - 12°S
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Smoothhead catfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Smoothhead catfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Smoothhead catfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Smooth-head Catfish · Smoothhead Catfish |
| 🌍AFR | Sagkopbaber |
| 🌍CES | keříčkovec zambijský |
| 🌍TSN | Dituni |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarias carsonii | Boulenger | 1903 | Synonym |
| Clarias neumanni | Hilgendorf | 1905 | Synonym |
| Clarias ornatus | Poll | 1943 | Synonym |
| Clarias phillipsi | Norman | 1925 | Synonym |
| Clarias submarginatus liocephalus | Boulenger | 1898 | Synonym |
| Clarias youngicus | Ricardo-Bertram | 1943 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 293 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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