Cave catfish (Clarias cavernicola)

Scientific name: Clarias cavernicola Trewavas, 1936

The Cave catfish (Clarias cavernicola) is a freshwater fish of the family Clariidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 20–26°C (68–79°F). Native range: Africa, known only from the type locality, Aigumas Cave, North Otavi, Namibia. Major threat is depletion of ground water.

Cave catfish care at a glance

Temperature
20–26°C (68–79°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 71-76; Anal soft rays: 66 - 61. Devoid of pigment. Eyes extremely small; covered with skin; dorsally located. Head rectangular in dorsal outline; snout broadly rounded. Frontal fontanelle long and narrow; occipital fontanelle long and oval-shaped. Supraorbital and `dermosphenotic' bones fused. Premaxillary tooth plate rather broad. gill rakers long, slender and distantly set. Suprabranchial organ greatly reduced. Openings of the secondary sensory canals regularly arranged along flanks.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Clarias cavernicola
Family
Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
16.1
Environment
Freshwater; demersal
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: known only from the type locality, Aigumas Cave, North Otavi, Namibia. Major threat is depletion of ground water.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Critically Endangered (CR) (B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii))
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Assuming tm=1; Fec=50)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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