Nutritional Freshwater Life
218
form  bands. Shape of the nuchal plate
is also distinctive from all other species
in this genus. It feeds on the bottom on
mud, debris, and insects, notably chironomid larvae and molluscs. This species reaches a maximum size of 54 cm
(Scotcat.com, 2012).
Nutritional Facts
Proximate Composition (% DM)
Moisture Ash Protein Fat
EE NFE
8.02
23.06 12.93 7.90 36.07 8.96
EE, ether extract; NFE, nitrogen-free extract.
Source: Data from Olele (2012).
FaMiLy: CLariidae (airBreathinG CatFiSheS)
Clarias anguillaris Linnaeus 1758
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Clariidae
Common name: Mudfish.
Distribution: Native of Africa; Togo,
Ghana, Gambia, Sénégal, and Algeria
(Teugels, 1986).
Habitat: Inundated freshwater areas.
Description: Body of this species is elongated. Head is large, depressed, and bony
with small eyes. Gill openings are wide.
Air-breathing labyrinthic organ arises
from gill arches. Mouth is terminal and
large. Four pairs of barbels are present.
Dorsal and anal fins are long. Dorsal fin
spine and adipose fin are absent. Anterior
edge of pectoral spine is serrated. Caudal
fin is rounded. Color varies from sandyyellow through gray to olive with dark
greenish brown markings. Belly is white.
This species grows to a maximum size of
1 m and 7 kg (Teugels, 1986).
Nutritional Facts
Proximate Composition (% FW)
Moisture Ash
Fat Protein Fiber
80.85
0.90 6.85
19.22 0.60
Minerals (mg/g)
Ca
K
Mg
P
2.91 0.78 0.32 0.29
Amino Acids (mg/g)
Alanine
6.05
Arginine
6.74
Aspartic acid
9.89
Glutamic acid
15.68
Glycine
9.98
Histidine
3.49
Isoleucine
3.01
Leucine
7.68
Lysine
6.33
Methionine
2.31
Phenylalanine
4.68
Proline
5.39
Serine
5.18
Source: Data from Effiong and
Mohammed (2008).