Clarias alluaudi Boulenger, 1906
Alluaud's catfish
photo by Seegers, L.

Family:  Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes)
Max. size:  23 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Lakes Victoria, Kyoga, Edward, Rukwa and Tanganyika (Ref. 248). Also in Malagarasi River (Ref. 27292) and Rusizi River (Ref. 98755).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 65-79; Anal soft rays: 57-64; Vertebrae: 52-55. Pectoral fin spine serrated on both inner and outer sides (Ref. 34290). Head oval-shaped in dorsal outline; snout short and slightly rounded; eyes more dorsally located. Frontal fontanelle long and narrow (`knife-shaped'); occipital fontanelle long and oval-shaped. Supraorbital and `dermospenoticum' joined. Tooth plates relatively small. gill rakers long, slender and distantly set. Suprabranchial organ well developed. Openings of the secondary sensory canals regularly arranged on flanks.
Biology:  Occurs in rivers, streams, swamps and lakes. Occurs along muddy shores and in papyrus swamps in Lake Victoria; also in ponds of rice schemes (Ref. 36900), side-arms of larger waters (Ref. 78218) and in mountainous streams (Ref. 27292). Mainly insectivorous (Ref. 248), a wide variety of insect larvae and crustaceans (Ref. 78218). Also small fish are taken (Ref. 27292). Might undertake mass migrations up rivers and streams, maybe to spawn (Ref. 27292).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 October 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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