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Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes)
Etymology: Bathyclarias: Greek, bathys = deep + Latin, clarias, -a, -um = shining (Ref. 45335).
Issue
The species Bathyclarias gigas Jackson, 1959 is considered valid in Eschmeyer (CofF ver. Mar. 2011: Ref. 86697) following Ferraris (2007: Ref. 58032), and Seegers (2008: Ref. 78218). This is treated here as a synonym of Bathyclarias worthingtoni following Snoeks (2004: Ref. 55909).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical; 9°S - 15°S
Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 80.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4967)
Facultative air-breathing (Ref. 126274); Prefers rocky habitats. Feeds mainly on crabs, occasionally on fishes (Ref. 5595, 78218). Occurs down to a depth of at least 40 m, though juveniles are frequently found among rocks in very shallow water (Ref. 78218).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Teugels, G.G., 1986. Clariidae. p. 66-101. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ISNB, Brussels, MRAC, Tervuren; and ORSTOM, Paris. Vol. 2. (Ref. 3820)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 126983)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
More information
Common namesSynonymsMetabolismPredatorsEcotoxicologyReproductionMaturitySpawningSpawning aggregationFecundityEggsEgg development
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