Walking Catfish Care Guide
Clarias batrachus is an air-breathing Asian catfish that can move over land; it is predatory and needs a secure, tight-fitting lid.
Overview
Clarias batrachus, the walking catfish, is an air-breathing catfish whose true range is confirmed only from the Indonesian island of Java. FishBase records a maximum total length of about 47 cm and weight up to 1.2 kg. It can move short distances over land using snakelike movements and pectoral-fin support, and has been introduced and become invasive in regions such as Florida.
Taxonomy
- Family: Clariidae
- Genus: Clarias
- Scientific name: Clarias batrachus
- Describer: Linnaeus, 1758
Habitat
The species inhabits stagnant, often low-oxygen waters including muddy ponds, canals, ditches, swamps and flooded rice paddies. FishBase lists it as freshwater and brackish, demersal and potamodromous, with a broad temperature tolerance from about 10 to 28 °C. Auxiliary breathing organs let it survive in hypoxic water.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 400 L
- Temperature: 22–26 °C
- pH: 6–7.5
- GH: 2–15 °dGH
- Adult size: 40–50 cm
- Lifespan: 5–10 years
Diet
Clarias batrachus is a carnivorous, omnivorous scavenger with a trophic level near 3.4. It feeds on insect larvae, earthworms, shells, shrimps, small fish, aquatic plants and debris. Captive feeding is typically offered once daily.
Compatibility
A semi-aggressive, predatory, nocturnal, bottom-dwelling catfish. It will eat small fish and shrimp, so tankmates must be large and robust. Hiding spots and a gentle current suit it.
Breeding
The species is oviparous and spawns during the rainy season in Southeast Asia. Aquarium breeding is uncommon.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed 16 January 2019.