Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Eel catfish

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Kingdom
  
Order
  
Siluriformes

Genus
  
Higher classification
  
Channallabes

Phylum
  
Chordata

Family
  
Clariidae

Scientific name
  
Channallabes apus

Rank
  
Species

Eel catfish wwwscotcatcomimageschannallabesapus8jpg

Similar
  
Channallabes, Catfish, Airbreathing catfish, Clariallabes, Clarias angolensis

The eel catfish, Channallabes apus, is an airbreathing catfish found in the muddy swamps of the tropics of western Africa. The fish grows to 32.7 cm long TL (12.9 inches) and is notable for the ability to propel itself out of the water to catch prey.

Eel catfish channallabesapus7jpg

The thin eel-shaped body of C. apus is black or dark brown, with widely spaced spines. A suprabranchial organ, formed by tree-like structures from the second and fourth gill arches, allows the eel catfish to take in oxygen directly from the air for short periods. Its eyes are small and hidden, and it lacks pectoral fins entirely. Like many anguilliform clariids, its jaw muscles are hypertrophic, a modification that has been linked to increased bite force.

Eel catfish Channallabes apus Blair Chen Flickr

The eel catfish hunts both in and out of the water, having a different method for each. In water, C. apus sucks water and food into its mouth. To catch food on land, the eel catfish lifts the front of its body up, and bends its mouth down on the prey. Its specially adapted spine allows it to do so without weight-bearing pectoral fins.

Eel catfish Channallabes apus Wikipedia wolna encyklopedia
Eel catfish channallabes apus fttern YouTube

Eel catfish Clariidae

Eel catfish Channallabes apus alias African eel catfish Hippocampus Bildarchiv

References

Eel catfish Wikipedia


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