| Family: |
Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes) |
| Max. size: |
29 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: endemic to the Ogooué River (Gabon) (Ref. 3820, 81644). Reports from the middle Congo River basin (Ref. 41580, 78218) need confirmation. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): -0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 102; Anal soft rays: 91. Diagnosis: eyes without free orbital margin; dorsal and anal fins partially fused to caudal fin; dorsal and anal fins about 82% and
67% SL, respectively; skull width about 64% of length; external mandibular barbel half of skull length (Ref. 81644).
Description: known only from the holotype; slender and elongate body (abdominal depth about 10% SL), postanal length about 65% SL; pectoral and pelvic fins short, less than half skull length; owing to negative allometric growth of pectoral fins, as well as taking into account the large size of the holotype, size range may not be different from that of other Clariallabes species in the region; pectoral spine short and markedly serrate along anterior margin, less serrate along posterior margin; skull short (about 15% SL) and narrow (width 45% of length) with a narrow bony roof and a short posterior fontanel (presumably subjected to allometric growth as well, being smaller in larger skulls); barbels short, maxillary barbel shorter than skull length (63% skull length, again may be the result of negative allometric growth); premaxillary tooth plates 3.5 times longer than wide; no free rim surrounding the orbit (Ref. 81644).
Coloration: holotype uniformly brown, slightly paler ventrally; anterior part of dorsal and anal fins also paler (Ref. 81644). |
| Biology: |
In no way predatory, but consumes any material available, including detritus. Decayed plant remains, remains of terrestrial insects, insect larvae and other small invertebrates have been found in the stomach (Ref. 41580, 78218). Found among dead leaves in the forest streams of the inundation zones (Ref. 78218). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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