Clarias fuscus (Lacepède, 1803)
Hong Kong catfish
Clarias fuscus
photo by CAFS

Family:  Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes)
Max. size:  24.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; depth range - 3 m
Distribution:  Asia: China, Taiwan, Philippines (Ref. 41299) and Vietnam (Ref. 44416). Oceania: Hawaii (Ref. 5360).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 59-63; Anal soft rays: 42-46. Nude body without scale, sticky. Yellowish brown or dark gray, white and gray stomach. Lateral white dots on the sides (Ref. 40531). Sometimes confused with the channel catfish, but Clarias fuscus can be differentiated by its rounded tail and long dorsal and anal fins (Ref. 44091).
Biology:  Adults occur in streams, ponds, ditches and reservoirs. They prefer deeper pools and tend to hide under thick mats of vegetation; are nocturnal feeders foraging on small fishes, worms, crustaceans and insects (Ref. 44091). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Oviparous (Ref. 205).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 26 October 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  venomous


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