''Clarias'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

catfish Catfish (or catfishes; order Siluriformes or Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the three largest species alive, ...

es ( order Siluriformes) of the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Clariidae, the

airbreathing catfish Airbreathing catfish comprise the family Clariidae of the order Siluriformes. Sixteen genera and about 116 species of clariid fishes are described; all are freshwater species. Other groups of catfish also breathe air, such as the Callichthyidae ...

es. The name is derived from the

Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...

''chlaros'', which means lively, in reference to the ability of the fish to live for a long time out of water.

Taxonomy

''Clarias'' has been found to be

paraphyletic In taxonomy (general), taxonomy, a group is paraphyletic if it consists of the group's most recent common ancestor, last common ancestor and most of its descendants, excluding a few Monophyly, monophyletic subgroups. The group is said to be pa ...

. A species of ''Heterobranchus'' (''H. longifilis'') clusters deeply inside the ''Clarias'' group.

Distribution

They are found in inland waters throughout much of the Old World, and are one of the most widespread catfish genera in the world. The genus is found in Southeast Asia and East Asia westwards through India and the Asia Minor to Africa. The diversity of these catfishes is highest in Africa. Some (notably the walking catfish) have become pest species where they have been accidentally introduced, and particularly in Cuba, where their introduction was intentional.

Description

''Clarias'' species are recognized by their long-based dorsal fin, dorsal and anal fins, which give them a rather eel-like appearance. These fish have slender bodies, a flat, bony head, and a broad, terminal mouth with four pairs of barbel (anatomy), barbels. They also have a large, accessory breathing organ composed of modified gill arches. Also, only the pectoral fins have spines.

Importance to economy

Many of the species are of great economic importance in both fishery, fisheries and aquaculture, fish culture.

Species

There are currently 62 species recognized in this genus: African species Asian species Fossil species * ''Clarias falconeri'' extinction, † Lydekker, 1886, from India

Invasive species

''Clarias'' catfish and primarily ''Clarias batrachus'' (walking catfish) have been introduced to many different areas of the world, where they are causing problems for the native wildlife. The effect of introduction of these fish varies from area to area, but as they are predatory, they often affect the local wildlife by eating other fish, birds, and amphibians. In Florida, the fish are causing problems by invading aquaculture farms and preying on the fish cultivated there.issg Database: ecology of Clarias batrachus
/ref> Countries where one or several ''Clarias'' species have been introduced include Indonesia, the United States, Hong Kong, China, UK, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Taiwan, Thailand, and Cuba.

References

External links

{{Taxonbar, from=Q736329 Clarias, Fish of Africa Fish of Asia Freshwater fish genera Catfish genera Taxa named by Giovanni Antonio Scopoli