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Slender airbreathing catfish (Clarias longior) — Clariidae

Slender airbreathing catfish

Clarias longior
Family: Clariidae
LC · Least Concern

The Slender airbreathing catfish (Clarias longior) is a freshwater fish of the family Clariidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
22.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The slender airbreathing catfish is an African air-breathing catfish of the family Clariidae. The species grows to about 22 cm and has the elongate body characteristic of the genus Clarias, a flattened head with barbels and long, continuous dorsal and anal fins. Thanks to an accessory breathing organ it can gulp air and survive in oxygen-poor water or briefly on land. Practically nothing is known about this particular species' biology; like related Clarias species it is probably an omnivore of bottom animals and plant matter. The stout pectoral spines can cause painful injuries.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender airbreathing catfish?

The Slender airbreathing catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Slender airbreathing catfish live?

The Slender airbreathing catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Slender airbreathing catfish get?

The Slender airbreathing catfish grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Slender airbreathing catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender airbreathing catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slanke kuilmeerval sourced
English name
Slender airbreathing catfish sourced
Scientific name
Clarias longior
Family
Clariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Clarias

More from the family Clariidae

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