Morphology Data of Clarias ngamensis
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Teugels, G.G., 1986
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs other
Different appearance males alike females
Different colors males alike females
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features striking type of mouth
Body shape lateral elongated
Cross section oval
Dorsal head profile more or less straight
Type of eyes more or less normal
Type of mouth/snout more or less normal
Position of mouth sub-terminal/inferior
Type of scales scales embedded or partly/completely absent
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: Characterized by a relatively long vomerine tooth plate (5.9-14.4% of head length) and by a relatively short adipose fin (5.9-12.5% of standard length), the length of which is a specific character of Clarias ngamensis; head oval to rectangular in dorsal outline; frontal fontanelle long and narrow (`knife-shaped'); occipital fontanelle small and oval-shaped; pectoral spine robust and slightly curved; the suprabranchial organ consists of well developed arborescent structures (Ref. 248). It is distinguished from Clarias gariepinus by having a short adipose fin behind the rayed dorsal and an ovoid vomerine toothplate with granular or blunt teeth (Ref. 52193).

Description: Dorsal fin with 56-62 rays; anal fin with 50-58 rays; pectoral spines barbed along outer edge only (Ref. 52193). Gill rakers short and widely spaced, 18-32 on first gill arch; accessory suprabranchial airbreathing organ well developed (Ref. 52193).Colouration: Colour variable, grey or dark brown, often marbled, with cream or whitish underside to head and abdomen (Ref. 52193).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Clarias ngamensis

Lateral Lines 1 Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels 0
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) absent
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total 18 - 32
Vertebrae
preanal
total 56 - 60

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes extending over most of the back length
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   
Ventral  
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 56 - 62
Adipose fin present

Caudal fin

Attributes more or less truncate; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total 0 - 0
Soft-rays total 50 - 58

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     1
Soft-rays   9 - 10
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    abdominal  behind origin of D1
Spines     
Soft-rays   6 - 6
Main Ref. (e.g. 9948)
Glossary ( e.g. cephalopods )
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