Clarias stappersii Boulenger, 1915
Blotched catfish
Clarias stappersii
photo by RMCA / Mark Hanssens

Family:  Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes)
Max. size:  41 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Luapula-Moero system (upper Congo River basin), upper Kasai drainage (middle Congo River basin), Kafue River, upper Zambezi system, Cunene River and Okavango (Ref. 248).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 60-80; Anal soft rays: 56-63; Vertebrae: 58-61. Characterized by its lateral line which appears as a thick white band; barbels extremely short. Head long, broad and flattened. Frontal fontanelle long and extremely narrow. Occipital fontanelle rather small. The `dermosphenotic' and supraorbital bones are separated. Tooth plate extremely broad. Pectoral spine straight and robust. Suprabranchial organ well developed but not completely filling the chamber.
Biology:  Occurs in well-vegetated sluggish river channels and floodplain lagoons. Breeds during the summer rainy season (Ref. 7248). Eats invertebrates and, when older, other fishes (Ref. 7248, 78218).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 22 May 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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