| Family: |
Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes) |
| Max. size: |
41 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Luapula-Moero system (upper Congo River basin), upper Kasai drainage (middle Congo River basin), Kafue River, upper Zambezi system, Cunene River and Okavango (Ref. 248). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 60-80; Anal soft rays: 56-63; Vertebrae: 58-61. Characterized by its lateral line which appears as a thick white band; barbels extremely short. Head long, broad and flattened. Frontal fontanelle long and extremely narrow. Occipital fontanelle rather small. The `dermosphenotic' and supraorbital bones are separated. Tooth plate extremely broad. Pectoral spine straight and robust. Suprabranchial organ well developed but not completely filling the chamber. |
| Biology: |
Occurs in well-vegetated sluggish river channels and floodplain lagoons. Breeds during the summer rainy season (Ref. 7248). Eats invertebrates and, when older, other fishes (Ref. 7248, 78218). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 May 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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