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FACTSHEETS: July 2015 - no. 229

Clarotes laticeps (Rüppell, 1829)


larotes laticeps belongs to the Claroteidae family and the Clarotes genera includes one other species in C. bidorsalis. The "Widehead catfish" was a member of the African-Asian Bagridae family until 1991 when Mo split it up and constructed a new family, Claroteidae, for the African Bagrids. The registered standard length for this species is a whopping 80cm. (2ft. 8ins) but it is unlikely to reach this size in captivity.


Clarotes laticeps

Clarotes laticeps

Clarotes laticeps - head view

 

Very much a predator due to its wide mouth and would need a large aquarium to house it. Not a catfish for the average hobbyists aquarium, but for an experienced catfish or tank buster aquarist who can bring years of knowledge on keeping fish of this size, it is a good and interesting addition.

 

Common Name

Widehead catfish

Synonyms

Chrysichthys cranchii, Pimelodus laticeps, Bagrus laticeps, Bagrus nigrita, Octonematichthys nigrita, Clarotes heuglinii, C. macrocephalus Chrysichthys macropogon, C.nigrita, C. pitmani

Family

Claroteidae

Subfamily

Claroteinae

Distribution

Africa: Nile, Niger, Senegal, Bénoué, and Volta Rivers; also in Lake Chad. Type locality: Cairo.

Size

80.0cm. (2ft. 8ins)

Temp

20-25°C (67-77°F)

p.H.

6.5-7.5.

Characteristics

Head much depressed, snout broad. Mouth inferior. Four pairs of barbels. Dorsal fin spine strong, feebly serrated behind in the young, with granulations in front in the adult. Adipose fin rayed, supported by a spine. Caudal fin deeply forked, lobes acutely pointed in juveniles, more obtusely, or even rounded in adults.

Colouration

Ground colour of of head and body olive to dark brown, ventral region silvery white. A blackish blotch above the humeral process. Caudal fin with a brown or blackish band in the centre of each lobe. Remaining fins yellowish to light brown.

Aquarium Care & Compatibility

Provide good filtration for this large species as they will consume large amounts of food if fed heavily. A sand or fine non sharp gravel for the substrate with a large rockscape and bogwood setup. Would probably uproot plants so have them heavily potted or even plastic plants would suffice if this is part of your setup that you want. This is a predatory species and as such the tank mates would need to be larger so as not to be looked on as lunch!. Large species such as giant gouramis or large cyprinids would make ideal tank mates as long as they are larger than the catfish.

Sexual differences

Sexually mature males alter body shape in as much as the head and mouth get noticeably wider.

Reproduction

Not reported as it would be difficult due to the size of this species In its natural habitat spawning takes place in the rainy season.

Diet

Feeds on crustaceans, insects, mollusks and fish in its natural habitat so not fussy in the aquaria. Feed tablet, pellet, live and frozen foods.

Etymology

Clarotes: From the Greek, klarotes, a term for slaves, people with bent necks; in reference to the morphology of the head.
laticeps: Broad head.

Glossary of Terms

Adipose fin: Fleshy finlike projection without rays, ( this specis has) behind the rayed dorsal fin.
Caudal fin: The tail.
Dorsal fin: The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body.
Humeral process: Bony extension of the pectoral girdle.
Standard Length (S.L.): Standard length as measured from the snout to the caudal peduncle.

References

Baensch, H.A. and R. Riehl 1991 Aquarien atlas. Bd. 3. Melle: Mergus, Verlag für Natur- und Heimtierkunde, Germany. 1104 p.
Seegers, L. 2008 The catfishes of Africa. A handbook for identification and maintenance. Aqualog Verlag A.C.S. GmbH, Germany. 604 p.

Photo Credits

©  Hippocampus Bildarchiv

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ScotCat Sources

Etymology = Genus Etymology-genera

Etymology = Species Etymology-specific name

 

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