Synopsis
African and Asian clariid catfishes have long been reputed to survive habitat desiccation by remaining dormant under dry mud or sand, in the manner of the lungfish Protopterus. A literature review of aestivation in Clarias species reveals that many of the early accounts are based on hearsay, native superstition or confusion with the lungfish. Recent evidence indicates that clariids may survive whilst buried in moist sand, or in burrows with water-air interface, but that survival is unlikely in dried mud or sand
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N. Bruton, M. The survival of habitat desiccation by air breathing clariid catfishes. Environ Biol Fish 4, 273–280 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00005484
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00005484