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Text and photos by Nick Baker, unless otherwise stated

 EcologyAsia 2009
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Forest Walking Catfish
   

Seen in a clear  forest stream, Singapore.
 

This specimen, from a shallow forest stream on Pulau Sugi, Riau Archipelago, Indonesia, exhibits vibrant patterning.
 

Family : CLARIIDAE
Species : Clarias leiacanthus
Maximum Length : 33 cm

References : F1

The Forest Walking Catfish is a species of forest streams where it often lies concealed amongst leaf litter and other debris. As with most catfish it feeds on benthic organisms.

In this species there is a gap between the start of the dorsal fin and the reddish-brown, exposed bony plates of the skull. The dorsal fin extends along most of the vertebral line, but is not fused with the small, rounded tail fin. The flanks are olive-brown and are adorned with vertical lines of pale spots. The four pairs of barbels are long, straight and stiff.

The species occurs in a number of Southeast Asian countries including Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.