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]
| Claroteidae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Giraffe catfish (Auchenoglanis occidentalis) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Siluriformes |
| Superfamily: | Bagroidea |
| Family: | Claroteidae Bleeker, 1862 |
| Genera | |
Subfamily Auchenoglanidinae | |
The 12 genera contain 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 three genera Auchenoglanis, Parauchenoglanis and Notoglanidium.[3][4]
Two commonly known species are the giraffe catfish, Auchenoglanis occidentalis, and the African big-eye catfish, Chrysichthys longipinnis.
Claroteids have moderately elongated bodies, usually with four pairs of barbels, an adipose fin, and strong pectoral and dorsal fin spines.[2]