African Sharptooth Catfish Care Guide
Clarias gariepinus is a very large air-breathing African catfish farmed for food; its size and aggression make it unsuitable for home tanks.
Overview
Clarias gariepinus, the African sharptooth catfish, is a very large air-breathing catfish found across Africa and the Middle East. FishBase records a maximum total length of 170 cm and weight up to 60 kg. It is a major aquaculture species, widely introduced for food production, and is listed in invasive-species databases where established outside its range.
Taxonomy
- Family: Clariidae
- Genus: Clarias
- Scientific name: Clarias gariepinus
- Describer: Burchell, 1822
Habitat
The species occupies quiet waters such as vegetated river and lake margins and isolated pools, often over soft muddy substrate. FishBase lists a wide temperature tolerance of 8–35 °C, pH of 6.5–8.0 and depths to 80 m. Accessory breathing organs allow it to tolerate poor water quality and survive in shallow mud.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 1500 L
- Temperature: 22–26 °C
- pH: 6–7.5
- GH: 2–15 °dGH
- Adult size: 100–170 cm
- Lifespan: 5–10 years
Diet
Clarias gariepinus is a carnivorous omnivore with a trophic level near 3.8. It is a bottom feeder that occasionally feeds at the surface, taking crustaceans, insects and fish as well as young birds, carrion and plant matter. Captive feeding is typically offered once daily.
Compatibility
An aggressive, nocturnal, bottom-dwelling predator. Its size and temperament make it unsuitable for community aquaria; small fish and shrimp would be eaten. It is typically kept in aquaculture or very large facilities.
Breeding
The species spawns mostly at night in shallow areas, matures readily in captivity and grows rapidly, which underpins its use in aquaculture.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed 20 June 2018.