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Slender walking catfish (Clarias nieuhofii) — Clariidae

Slender walking catfish

Clarias nieuhofii
Family: Clariidae
LC · Least Concern

The Slender walking catfish (Clarias nieuhofii) is a freshwater fish of the family Clariidae that grows up to 50 cm.

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

Description

The slender walking catfish is a walking catfish (Clariidae) from Southeast Asia. The species has a strongly elongate, eel-shaped body, a flattened head with barbels and a very long dorsal and anal fin. As an air-breather it can breathe above water with an accessory organ and so survive oxygen-poor habitats. It inhabits peatlands, lakes and shaded lowland forest streams with acidic water. It hunts small fishes and invertebrates. The sturdy pectoral fin spines can inflict painful puncture wounds when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Slender walking catfish?

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

Where does the Slender walking catfish live?

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

How big does the Slender walking catfish get?

The Slender walking catfish grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Slender walking catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Slender walking catfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Slender walking catfish edible?

Yes, the Slender walking catfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slang-meerval sourced
English name
Slender walking catfish verified
Scientific name
Clarias nieuhofii
Family
Clariidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore 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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