Widehead catfish
📖 Overview
Widehead catfish (Clarotes laticeps), first described by Rüppell, 1829 is a large fish in the family Bagridae (order Siluriformes). Adults typically reach 80.00 cm in maximum length and up to 10.000 kg. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Tropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is important as a food fish. As a member of the Bagridae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 2; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5 - 7; Anal spines: 0. Diagnosis: adipose fin rayed in adults, 1st ray forming a spine (not visible in juveniles); adipose-fin rays becoming visible at sizes of 90-100 mm SL, and the spine at 200 mm; dentition very well developed: premaxillary tooth plate broad (38-45% of head length), palatine dentition consisting of an elongate vomerine plate and of a dermo-palatine plate in young individuals (60-70 mm SL); palatine tooth plates narrow and long with much weaker dentition; nasal barbel long, reaching at least to anterior part of orbit; maxillary barbel very long, exceeding at least the anterior part of dorsal fin and often reaching to adipose fin; caudal-fin lobes marked by a dark band; cranial bones well developed; length of occipital process usually less than 1.4 times its width . : elongated; Cross section: circular.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Widehead catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal; anadromous . Tropical; 20°C - 26°C ; 17°N - 3°N East Africa and Nile basin (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
crustaceans, insects, mollusks and fish (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Widehead 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 Widehead catfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Widehead 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 | Spiny Catfish · Widehead Catfish |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Abu Messikah · Abu Messikah Asly |
| 🌍CES | sumíček širokohlavý |
| 🌍GLE | Kportoe |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Широкопёрая кларота |
| 🌍WOL | Bèdj |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bagrus laticeps | Rüppell | 1829 | Synonym |
| Bagrus nigrita | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Chrysichthys macropogon | Norman | 1928 | Synonym |
| Chrysichthys nigrita | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Chrysichthys pitmani | Fowler | 1936 | Synonym |
| Clarotes heuglini | Kner | 1855 | Synonym |
| Clarotes macrocephalus | Daget | 1954 | Synonym |
| Octonematichthys nigrita | Valenciennes | 1840 | Synonym |
| Pimelodus laticeps | Rüppell | 1829 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 38 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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