Heterobranchus isopterus Bleeker, 1863
Heterobranchus isopterus
photo by Mody, K.

Family:  Clariidae (Airbreathing catfishes)
Max. size:  122.5 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 1,200.0 g
Environment:  demersal; freshwater, potamodromous
Distribution:  Africa: coastal basins from the Konkouré (Guinea) to the Cross (Cameroon); present in the upper Senegal, but apparently absent from the Gambia and the Niger (Ref. 57129).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 26-35; Anal soft rays: 40-51; Vertebrae: 53-60. Diagnosis: length of rayed dorsal fin 27-36% standard length; 26-35 dorsal-fin rays; length of adipose fin 24-34% of standard length (Ref. 57129). Strong, downward-pointed serrations on the anterior part of the pectoral spine (Ref. 270, 57129). Width of vomerine tooth plate 20.8-25.0%, width of premaxillary tooth plate 25.2-30.9% of head length; adipose fin uniformly coloured (Ref. 57129). Eyes superolateral; frontal fontanelle long and narrow; occipital fontanelle oval-shaped; head completely covered with bones; suprabranchial organ well developed; tooth plates relatively narrow; openings of secondary sensory canals regularly placed (Ref. 270). Coloration: preserved specimens: grey, greyish-brown to dark brown on back and sides, pale brown on belly; some individuals show a marbled colour pattern; caudal and adipose fins uniformly coloured (Ref. 57129).
Biology:  Max. size in West Africa reported as 510 mm TL (Ref. 57129).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 March 2020 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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