Smoothhead catfish (Clarias liocephalus) fish species and information / pictures of Smoothhead catfish - Clarias liocephalus

Smoothhead catfish (Clarias liocephalus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Clarias liocephalus

Common Name
Smoothhead catfish

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 67-79; Anal soft rays: 53 - 67; Vertebrae: 55 - 58. Pectoral fin spine with serrations on the inner and upward directed on the outer side (Ref. 34290). Head oval to rectangular dorsally; snout broadly rounded; eyes more laterally located. Frontal fontanelle intermediate between `knife-shaped' and `sole-shaped'; occipital fontanelle long and oval-shaped. Supraorbital and `dermosphenotic' bones generally joined above 150 mm SL and more dorsally placed. Tooth plates relatively broad. Pectoral spine relatively short; its outer side strongly serrated over entire length. Gill rakers short and far apart. Openings of secondary sensory canals regularly arranged on flanks.

Classification

Classified By
Boulenger, 1898
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Catfish (Siluriformes)
Family
Airbreathing catfishes (Clariidae)

Distribution

Region
Africa
Distribution
Africa: Lake Victoria, Edward, George, small lakes of Uganda, Lake Kivu, smaller lakes of Rwanda, Lake Tanganyika, Bangweulu-Moero system, in Malawi, Kagera, Malagarazi, Ruzizi and Tana Rivers. Cunene, Okavango, upper Zambezi, and Kafue systems, Zambian Congo, Central Africa Great Lakes (Ref. 7248).
Range
2°N - 12°S

Environment

Climate
Tropical
Water Temperature From
22 °C
Water Temperature To
28 °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Freshwater; demersal
Trophic Level
3.26 s.e. 0.45 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
32.0 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
Vulnerability
Low to moderate vulnerability (26 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Least Concern (LC)