Environ Biol Fish (2010) 87:297–298

DOI 10.1007/s10641-010-9598-9

Threatened fishes of the world: Clarias dussumieri

dussumieri (Valenciennes, 1840) (Clariidae)
K. G. Padmakumar & L. Bindu & V. S. Basheer &
A. Gopalakrishnan .   

Received: 27 April 2009 / Accepted: 20 January 2010 / Published online: 23 February 2010
# Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010

Common name: Valenciennes clariid. Vernacular:

Naadanmushi/mozhi. Conservation status: Vulnerable
(CAMP 1998). IUCN status: Not evaluated. Identifi-
cation: Body compressed, dark above and pale below.
Head greatly depressed, covered with osseous plates
dorsally and laterally forming a cask covering a
diverticulum of the gill cavity. Occipital process
broadly rounded. Distance from dorsal fin base to base
of occipital process 2–3.5 time head length. Mouth
terminal and transverse with villiform teeth. Snout
broad. Four pairs of barbels; maxillary barbels extend-
ing beyond pectoral fin base, nasals to occipital
fontanel, outer mandibular to pectoral fin base and
inner mandibular shorter. Dorsal fin with 66–69 fin
rays. Pectoral fin with spine serrated on posterior edge.
Caudal fin round. Partial sequence information of
mitochondrial genes (16SrRNA, CO1, Cyt b) and
nuclear gene (RAG2) showed significant genetic
K. G. Padmakumar
Regional Agricultural Research Station,
Kumarakom, Kerala, India 686566
L. Bindu (*)
National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre,
Kochi, India 682018
e-mail: bindukylm@gmail.com
V. S. Basheer : A. Gopalakrishnan
National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources,
Regional Centre,
Kochi, India 682018
divergence between C. dussumieri and the closest
known species C. batrachus. Maximum size: 50 cm
(3 kg). Illustration by A. Biju. Distribution: Rivers and
wetlands of South-western India (Gopalakrishnan and
Ponniah 2000). Abundance: Once prevalent in swampy
waters; now recorded a sharp decline. Habitat and
ecology: Commonly found in ponds, streams and
shallow derelict wetlands. They have biological and
physiological adaptations to low oxygen conditions.
They are predatory and feed on small fishes, insects
and detritus. Reproduction: In nature, the fish has a
single spawning season coinciding with the south west
monsoon. Threats: The natural breeding area is
reduced due to land reclamation and use of pesticides
and chemical fertilizers. Conservation action: Scien-
tists from the Kerala Agricultural University studied
the life history of natural populations and successfully
bred and reared larvae in captivity. Recommendations:
More studies are necessary to determine the present
distribution and steps to ensure protection of their
habitats. Also needed are population genetic studies
coupled with captive breeding for successful translo-
cation and reintroduction efforts.
298
References
CAMP (1998) Conservation Assessment and Management Plan for
freshwater fishes of India. Zoo Outreach Organization and
National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, 156 pp
Environ Biol Fish (2010) 87:297–298
Gopalakrishnan A, Ponniah AG (2000) Cultivable, ornamental,
sport and food fishes endemic to Peninsular India with
special reference to the Western Ghats. In: Ponniah AG,
Gopalakrishnan A (eds) Endemic fish diversity of the
Western Ghats. NBFGR - NATP Publication 1, National
Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, pp 13–32
Environ Biol Fish
DOI 10.1007/s10641-010-9627-8

Threatened fishes of the world: Clarias batrachus

(Linn. 1758)
Sangram Ketan Sahoo & Shiba Shankar Giri &
Suresh Chandra

Received: 19 May 2009 / Accepted: 4 February 2010

# Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010

Keywords Clarias batrachus . Vulnerable

Common name: Magur, Walking Catfish. Conservation

status: Vulnerable (CAMP 1998). Identification:
Brownish black in colour. Elongated body with round
abdomen and laterally compressed tail. Head with two
depressions. Upper jaw slightly longer than lower. The
mouth is wide and terminal. Four maxillary and four
mandibular barbells. The dorsal fin and anal fin both
long, reaching caudal base. Caudal fin homocercal,
separated from dorsal and anal fin. D 62–76, P 1/8–11,
V 6–7, A 45–58, C 14–17. Illustration by S. Mahali.
Distribution: It is native to Indian sub-continent
(Jayaram 1981). Habitat and ecology: Inhabits
swampy areas and water bodies adjacent to paddy
fields. Omnivore with broad feeding habits at different
life stages (Hora and Pillay 1962). Reproduction: It
breeds in second year of life during the monsoon
(June–August) in vegetation under embankments.
Parental care exists. The fecundity varies from 4000–
S. K. Sahoo (*) : S. S. Giri : S. Chandra
Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture,
Kausalyaganga,
Bhubaneswar 751 002, India
e-mail: sksahoo100@rediffmail.com
5000 (100 g females) and increases with fish size. The
honey colour eggs are adhesive. Threats: Declining
population is due to high fishing pressure and habitat
loss from rapid urbanization. Conservation action: The
Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture, India has
started working intensively on its propagation and feed
development (Sahoo et al. 2005, 2008; Giri et al.
2005). Seven other national Institutes are presently
involved on its artificial propagation, sponsored by
Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.
Recommendations: Mass production through hatchery
operations, rearing young in natural waters and
aquaculture of this species are necessary to restore
populations. Remark: Ironically, it is recommended for
monoculture in south-east Asia due to its high
production potential and market demand.

References
Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP)
(1998) Executive summery report on Freshwater Fishes
of India. National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources,
Lucknow and Zoo Outreach Organisation, Coimbatore,
India, pp 1–10
Giri SS, Sahoo SK, Lenka S, Rangacharyulu PV, Paul BN,
Sahu AK, Mohanty SN, Mukhopadhyay PK (2005)
Effect of partial replacement of dietary fish-meal by
meat-meal, goat liver and shrimp-meal on growth and
survival of Clarias batrachus (Linn.). Indian J Anim Sci
75:977–981
Environ Biol Fish
Hora SL, Pillay TVR (1962) Handbook on fish culture in the Indo-
Pacific region. FAO Fish Boil Tech Pap No14, pp 204
Jayaram KC (1981) The freshwater fishes of India, Pakistan,
Bangladesh, Burma and Sri Lanka. Zoological Survey of
India, Calcutta, p 475
Sahoo SK, Giri SS, Sahu AK (2005) Induced spawning of Asian
catfish, Clarias batrachus (Linn.): effect of various latency
periods and SGnRHa and domperidone doses on spawning
performance and egg quality. Aquacult Res 36:1273–1278
Sahoo SK, Giri SS, Chandra S (2008) Rearing performance of
Clarias batrachus larvae: effect of age at stocking on
growth and survival during fingerling production. Aqua-
culture 280:158–160