Clarias camerunensis Lönnberg 1895

Diagnosis: body less elongate, its maximum depth 11.9-16.4% SL (m=14.1); head length 21.0-26.0% SL (m=24.1) (Ref. 57129, 81644). Head rectangular dorsally; snout extremely broadly rounded; eyes more laterally placed (Ref. 248). Interorbital distance 45.4-54.3% HL (m=48.8) (Ref. 57129, 81644). Tooth plates extremely broad (Ref. 248), width of premaxillary tooth plate 30.4-38.9% HL (m=34.9), and of vomerine tooth plate 26.1-33.9% HL (m=29.7)(Ref. 57129, 81644). Frontal fontanel long and narrow; occipital fontanelle long and oval-shaped (Ref. 248). Supraorbital and "dermosphenotic" bones separated in specimens up to 200 mm SL, in larger specimens they usually become joined (Ref. 248, 101841)). 7-13 (Ref. 57129, 81644) or 7-14 (Ref. 101841) gill rakers on first gill arch. Suprabranchial organ well developed (Ref. 248, 101841). Pectoral spine slender, its outer side showing strong downward serrations (Ref. 248, 81644). Dorsal fin length 59.5-67.9% SL; distance from dorsal to caudal fin 1.2-4.3% SL (Ref. 57129, 101841). Flank neuromasts arranged in a regular pattern (Ref. 81644).Colouration: no information on colour in life (Ref. 57129, 101841). Preserved specimens: dark brown on back and sides and pale brown to beige/whitish on belly; pectoral and pelvic fins sometimes with a pale distal band; caudal fin sometimes with alternating light and dark vertical bars (Ref. 57129, 81644). Never an irregular pattern of small white spots on body (Ref. 101841).

Astiotrema Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Quadriacanthus Infestation. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Myxidium Infection 3. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Ergasilus Disease 7. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 69 - 94; Analsoft rays: 52 - 70; Vertebrae: 56 - 61

Feeds on fish and insects (Ref. 248).

Data on the diet of C. walkeri (=C. camerunensis) showed larvae of mayflies, chironomids, and caddis insects to be the main food of small and middle-sized specimens (Ref. 248). Stomach content analysis showed presence of practically everything edible from plant remains, insects and their larvae to fish remains (Ref. 78218).

fisheries: