Snake catfish
📖 Overview
Facultative air-breathing ; Lives in vegetated areas in shallow and swampy places around the lake. Occasionally found in cataracts, hiding under rocks . The species is omnivorous and feeds on insects (Coleoptera, ants, Chironomid larvae), plant seeds and other fishes .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 71 - 94; Anal soft rays: 60 - 89; Vertebrae: 56 - 61. Diagnosis: Head rectangular in dorsal outline; snout broadly rounded; eyes dorsally located; frontal fontanelle `knife-shaped'; occipital fontanelle very long and oval-shaped; the `dermosphenotic' and supraorbital bones become joined in specimens of 80-90 mm standard length; tooth plates relatively small; dorsal and anal fins not confluent with caudal fins; gill rakers relatively long, slender and distantly set; openings of the secondary sensory canals arranged in regular pattern on the flanks . Characterised by a relatively small, short head, 4-5 times in standard length, long barbels reaching to behind the head, and an elongated slender body with a long anal fin .: elongated; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Snake catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical; 6°N - 30°S
🌿 Ecology
insects (Coleoptera, ants, Chironomid larvae) (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarias amplexicauda | Boulenger | 1902 | Synonym |
| Clarias fouloni | Boulenger | 1905 | Synonym |
| Clarias macrurus | Boulenger | 1915 | Synonym |
| Clarias theodora | Weber | 1897 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 129 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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