Scientific Name
Clarias macrocephalus

Common Name
Bighead catfish

Biology
Lives in lowland wetlands and rivers (Ref. 57235). Occurs in shallow, open water and is capable of lying buried in mud for lengthy period if ponds and lakes evaporate during dry seasons (Ref. 9987). Can move out of the water using its extended fins (Ref. 9987). Found in medium to large-sized rivers, stagnant water bodies including sluggish flowing canals and flooded fields of the Mekong (Ref. 12975). Spawns in small streams (Ref. 9987). Feeds on aquatic insects, young shrimps and small fishes (Ref. 6459). In Thailand and Laos, this fish is considered to be better and more nourishing than Clarias batrachus; uncommon in Laos but common in Thailand; thought wrongly as female of Clarias batrachus in Thailand (Ref 2686). Important foodfish and in pond cultures (Ref. 57235). Marketed live, fresh and frozen; consumed fried, broiled and baked (Ref. 9987). Cultiv

Classification

Classified By

G?nther, 1864

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Airbreathing catfishes (Clariidae)

Distribution

Region

Asia

Distribution

Asia: Thailand to Viet Nam. Introduced to China, Malaysia, Guam and the Philippines.

Range

34°N - 4°N

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

1 m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 1 - ? m (Ref. 9987)

Trophic Level

3.16 s.e. 0.38 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

120 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (61 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Assuming tm=1; Fec=800-14,000)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated