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Dumeril's catfish (Clarias dumerilii) — Clariidae

Dumeril's catfish

Clarias dumerilii
Family: Clariidae
LC · Least Concern

The Dumeril's catfish (Clarias dumerilii) is a freshwater fish of the family Clariidae that grows up to 31 cm.

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

Description

Clarias dumerilii is an African air-breathing catfish of the family Clariidae from West Africa. The species has an elongate, eel-like body with a broad, flattened head and four pairs of barbels, and reaches about 30 cm. Like other Clarias species it has a branched breathing organ above the gills with which it can breathe air, allowing it to survive oxygen-poor water and even short periods out of water. It is an omnivore searching the bottom for fish, invertebrates and plant matter. The species is eaten locally and is resistant to unfavourable conditions.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dumeril's catfish?

The Dumeril's catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Dumeril's catfish live?

The Dumeril's catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Dumeril's catfish get?

The Dumeril's catfish grows to a maximum of about 31 cm.

Is the Dumeril's catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Dumeril's catfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Duméril's klaresmeerval sourced
English name
Dumeril's catfish sourced
Scientific name
Clarias dumerilii
Family
Clariidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.5 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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