Cave catfish

Clarias cavernicola

Golden body lacking skin pigment

Tropical
Regional distribution
Freshwater fish
Africa
Elongated
Medium
Tropical fish

Clarias cavernicola, the cave catfish, is a critically endangered species of airbreathing catfish. This cavefish is only known to live in the Aigamas cave, Otjozondjupa region, Namibia. The golden cave catfish lack pigmentation and are up to 16.1 cm (6.3 in) in standard length.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Catfishes
Family: Clariidae
Genus: Clarias
Maximum length: 16.1 cm
Water: Freshwater
Body shape: elongated
Distribution: Africa: known only from the type locality, Aigumas Cave, North Otavi, Namibia. Major threat is depletion of ground water (Ref. 7248 ).
Conservation status: CRCritically Endangered

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