Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 60-82; Anal soft rays: 42 - 61. Diagnosis: 16-50 gill rakers on first gill arch (much more reduced compared to Clarias gariepinus), subject to geographical variations (Ref. 57129). Head oval-shaped to rectangular in dorsal outline; snout broadly rounded; eyes rather lateral in position and, together with relatively broad head, make for a relatively large interorbital distance; number of gill rakers on first branchial arch subject to much variation, 16-40, rarely exceeding 40; dorsal fin base situated close to occipital process; dorsal fin always terminates before caudal fin base, distance between both small; anal fin originates closer to caudal fin base than to tip of snout, nearly reaching caudal fin but never confluent; pelvic fin base slightly closer to tip of snout than to caudal fin base, reaching base of first anal fin rays; pectoral fin extend from operculum to base of first dorsal fin rays; pectoral spine slightly curved and robust, serrated only on its outer side, number of serrations increases with increasing standard length; lateral line appears as a small, white line running from posterior end of head to middle of caudal fin base; openings of secondary sensory canals clearly marked, showing a regular pattern (Ref. 248).