 This species can be distinguished from other "Clarias" catfishes, apart from the recently discovered "Clarias batu" and "Clarias nigricans", by the greatly elongated body which gives it a remarkably eel-like appearance.The colour is generally grey with two rows of white spots running along the length of the body just below the lateral line and 13 or 14 vertical rows of white spots just above the line.Specimens of up to 50 cm (19.7 inches) standard length have been recorded.