Broadhead catfish | |
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Preserved specimen, possibly from Thailand. | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Siluriformes |
Family: | Clariidae |
Genus: | Clarias |
Species: | C. macrocephalus
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Binomial name | |
Clarias macrocephalus Günther, 1864
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The broadhead catfish (Clarias macrocephalus) is an economically important air-breathing catfish that is a native of Southeast Asia. The fish is farmed in ponds for use in human consumption in countries such as Thailand (Thai: ปลาดุกอุย) and the Philippines. However, native populations now face extinction due to man-made activities and genetic introgression due to interbreeding with escaped aquaculture hybrids.
In Thailand both this fish and the walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) are known as Pla Duk (Thai: ปลาดุก). They are common inexpensive food items, prepared in a variety of ways, being often offered by street vendors, especially barbecued or fried.[2]