Cat-eLog Right Clariidae Right Bathyclarias  |  | 

Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Bathyclarias foveolatus  (Jackson, 1955)
Common Names Cratered Clarias
Chimwamapumba (Native)
Type Locality Nkata Bay, Lake Malawi [Lake Nyasa], southeastern Africa.
Synonym(s) Clarias faveolatus, Clarias foveolatus
Pronunciation bath ee klar ee ass. - fav ee o lay tus.
Etymology From the Greek bathys meaning deep and clarias also from the Greek chlaros, meaning lively; in reference to the ability of clarias to live for long periods out of water. From the latin faveolus, after favus, honeycomb, pertaining to the texture of the skin.
Down Species Information
Size 750mm or 29.5" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification The small, laterally placed eyes that bulge out from the outline of the head is a key characteristic for distinguishing Bathyclarias from Clarias.

Can be Identified by the extensive pockmarks distributed on the fishes skin, as well as the look of being coated with dark oil.
Sexing The genital papilla, which is to the right of the anus as you look at the fish with its head to the left, is elongated and pointed in males while it is round and relatively larger (and larger than the anus) in females. In ventral view especially, females are much broader in the body than males of equal age and rearing practices.
General Remarks Occurs in deep water living among rocky areas and feeds on species of fish living among the rocks. Many Africans fear that smallpox will be contracted if this species is eaten so they refrain from doing so, the pock-marked skin being the cause of this fear.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution Africa: Endemic and occurring throughout Lake Malawi (Nyasa).
IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2018.
Down Husbandry Information
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Down Further Information
Reference Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London v. 125 (pts 3-4), pp 681, Fig.
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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Last Update 2020 Sep 16 01:02 (species record created: 2013 Sep 19 10:17)