The genus Clarias Scopoli ^ZBK, 1777 is a group of air-breathing catfishes found in inland waters throughout much of the Old World.

They are easily identified by an anguilliform body, long-based dorsal and anal-fins, eye with free orbital margin and located dorsolaterally, large and well-developed neurocranium and the presence of an accessory breathing organ comprised of modified gill arches.

Although the bulk of Clarias ^ZBK diversity is found in Africa (Teugels, 1986), 18 nominal species, 12 of which are currently considered valid (Ng, 1999; 2001), are known from Southeast Asia.

As recent studies have shown, the diversity of Southeast Asian Clarias ^ZBK is higher than previously thought and undescribed taxa are still being described.