Ceratoglanis pachynema Ng, 1999
Club-barbel sheatfish
Ceratoglanis pachynema
photo by Panitvong, N.

Family:  Siluridae (Sheatfishes)
Max. size:  28 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  Asia: Chao Phraya and Mekong drainages. Previously misidentified as Ceratoglanis scleronema from the Chao Phraya drainage.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal soft rays: 90-101; Vertebrae: 63-64. Snout with a gently sloping ventral profile (ventral angle of snout 40°-42°), relatively fewer anal-fin rays (90-101), and larger eyes (eye diameter 13.0-16.4% HL) set closer together (interorbital distance 33.7-36.6% HL). Mature males have membranous extensions on both the anterior and posterior edges of the maxillary barbel. Pectoral spine and articulated segments sexually dimorphic in mature individuals. Males with spine broad and somewhat flattened dorsoventrally, with 10 distinct posterior serrate, increasing in size distally; proximal articulated segments with 17 well-developed posterior serrae; distal-most segments have smaller serrae. Females or juveniles with spine slender and without serrae; proximal articulated segments with 6 minute posterior serrae; distal segments with 5 minute serrae (Ref. 38651). Absence of dorsal fin; short stiff hooked maxillary barbels; posterior nostril above front margin eye (Ref. 43281).
Biology:  Inhabits mainstream river. Carnivorous, feeding on insects and benthic fauna (Ref. 58784).
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 23 February 2011 (A2e) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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