1. Clarius batrachus is found in fresh and brackish waters. It feeds on clams, crustaceans and insects larvae and acts as scavenger.
2. Clarius batrachus is called a catfish.
3. Body is elongated, scaleless and measuring up to 45cm in length .
4. The general colour of the body is uniform brown or greyish-black.
5. Head depressed and covered with osseus plates dorsally and laterally.
6. Barbles are four pairs?one pair of maxillary, one pair of nasal and 2 pairs mandibular.
7. Upper jaw is longer. Tail is diphycercal.
8. Dorsal fin is long and without spines, extending up to caudal fin. Anal fin also long. No adipose fin.
Caudal fin is more or less rounded. Pectoral fins are provided with spines.
9. Accessory respiratory organs are branched tree-like in the branchial chamber. It can live out of water for a long time with the help of its accessory respiratory organs. Air bladder is connected with internal ear by weberian ossicles .
10. Fin formula:D.65-70, P.1/8,V.6,A.47, C.17. They are found in africa and south and west asia.
Source:
1. Practical Zoology Vertebrates by S.S.Lal. 2. A Manual of Practical Zoology Chordates by Dr. P.S. Verma.
