FIRST RECORD OF THE NORTH AFRICAN CATFISH CLARIASGARIEPINUS(BURCHELL, 1822)(SILURIFORMES, CLARIIDAE) IN TIGRIS RIVER, IRAQ

Abstract

The current study aimed todetermine the morphometric and meristic characteristics of the North African catfish Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822). Six specimens of C. gariepinus were collected from the Tigris River, in central Iraq. This study is considered the confirmation first record of this speciesin Iraq, and the second documentation of this exotic fish. The present species is characterized by a very long dorsal fin, a rounded caudal fin and four pairs of barbels.

Keywords

• clariidae
• cat fish
• exotic fish
• morphology