| Claroteidae | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Superfamily: | Bagroidea |
| Family: | Claroteidae Bleeker, 1862 |
| Genera | |
|
Subfamily Auchenoglanidinae |
|
The Claroteidae are a family of catfish (Order Siluriformes) found in Africa.[1] This family was separated from Bagridae.[2] However, the monophyly of the family is sometimes contested.[3]
There are 13 genera and 86 known species of Claroteids in two subfamilies, Claroteinae and Auchenoglanidinae.[1][2] The subfamily Auchenoglanidinae is sometimes classified as a separate family Auchenoglanididae. This group was also often formerly placed in Bagridae.[1] The monophyly of Auchenoglanidinae is uncontested; it contains the six genera Anaspidoglanis, Auchenoglanis, Parauchenoglanis, Notoglanidium, Liauchenoglanis, and Platyglanis.[3]
Two commonly known species are the giraffe catfish, Auchenoglanis occidentalis, and the African big eye catfish, Chrysichthys longipinnis.
Claroteids have a moderately elongate body, usually four pairs of barbels, an adipose fin, and strong pectoral and dorsal fin spines.[2]