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Catfish (Clarias agboyiensis) — Clariidae

Catfish

Clarias agboyiensis
Family: Clariidae
LC · Least Concern

The Catfish (Clarias agboyiensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Clariidae that grows up to 29 cm.

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

Description

Clarias agboyiensis is an air-breathing catfish (family Clariidae) of West Africa. The species reaches about 29 cm and has an elongate, scaleless, brownish body with a flattened head, barbels and a very long dorsal fin. It is more abundant in floodplains with ponds and marshes than in rivers. Like other clariids it has an accessory breathing organ that lets it gulp air and tolerate low-oxygen conditions. It is an omnivore eating insects, small invertebrates, detritus and plant matter. The species is of value to local fisheries; the fin spines can cause painful injuries.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Catfish?

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

Where does the Catfish live?

The Catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Catfish get?

The Catfish grows to a maximum of about 29 cm.

Is the Catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Catfish edible?

Yes, the Catfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Agboyi-meerval sourced
English name
Catfish verified
Scientific name
Clarias agboyiensis
Family
Clariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
29.0 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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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