Walking catfish
Walking catfish | |
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Piebald C. batrachus; a common morph in aquaculture | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Siluriformes |
Family: | Clariidae |
Genus: | Clarias |
Species: | C. batrachus
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Binomial name | |
Clarias batrachus | |
Synonyms | |
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The walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) is a species of freshwater
Characteristics and anatomy
The walking catfish has an elongated body shape and reaches almost 0.5 m (1.6 ft) in length and 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) in weight., which protects the fish when it is out of water.
This fish needs to be handled carefully when fishing it due to its embedded sting or thorn-like defensive mechanism hidden behind its fins (including the middle ones before the tail fin, similar to the majority of all catfishes).
Taxonomy, distribution, and habitat
The walking catfish is a
Walking catfish thrive in stagnant, frequently hypoxic waters,[5] and often are found in muddy ponds, canals, ditches, and similar habitats. The species spends most of its time on, or right above, the bottom, with occasional trips to the surface to gulp air.[5]
Diet
In the wild, this creature is
As an invasive species
Within Asia, this species has been introduced widely.[3] It has also been introduced outside its native range where it is considered an invasive species. It consumes the food supplies of native fish and preys on their young. It also is regarded as an invasive species because they can destroy fish farms.
In the United States, it is established in Florida.[8] It is reported in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, and Nevada. The walking catfish was imported to Florida, reportedly from Thailand, in the early 1960s for the aquaculture trade.[5] The first introductions apparently occurred in the mid-1960s when adult fish imported as brood stock escaped, either from a fish farm in northeastern Broward County or from a truck transporting brood fish between Dade and Broward Counties. Additional introductions in Florida, supposedly purposeful releases, were made by fish farmers in the Tampa Bay area, Hillsborough County in late 1967 or early 1968, after the state banned the importation and possession of walking catfish.
Aquarium releases likely are responsible for introductions in other states. Dill and Cordone (1997) reported this species has been sold by tropical fish dealers in California for some time. They also have been spotted occasionally in the Midwest.
In Florida, walking catfish are known to have invaded aquaculture farms, entering ponds where they prey on agricultural fish stocks. In response, fish farmers have had to erect fences to protect ponds. Authorities have also created laws that ban possession of walking catfish.
In 2017, Clarias spp. were recovered from the River Tonge, near Bolton, Northern England.[9]
As food
In Indonesia, it is commonly referred as lele, or when needing distinction; lele jawa or lele kampung, compared to lele dumbo or lele sangkuriang which refers to the introduced C. gariepinus. It is the main ingredient in several traditional dishes, such as pecel lele and mangut lele.
In Thailand, Clarias aff. batrachus is known as pla duk dan (Thai: ปลาดุกด้าน). It is a common, inexpensive food item, prepared in a variety of ways. It often is offered by street vendors, especially grilled or fried.[10]
This fish is also one of the most common freshwater catfish in the Philippines, which as aforementioned is known as hito in the local language. Despite this, current evidence of Clarias aff. batrachus populations from other regions of southeast Asia and India in relation towards C. batrachus have not been thoroughly studied.[clarification needed]
Aquarium
A white variation with black patterns is commonly seen in the aquarium fish trade. However, this color variation also is prohibited where walking catfish are banned. Very well-rooted plants and large structures that provide some shade should be included in an aquarium with these fish. Any small tankmates will be eaten by this fish.
See also
- Eel catfish
- List of freshwater aquarium fish species
- List of invasive species in the Everglades
- Clarias magur
- Clarias macrocephalus
References
- . Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- Metro.co.uk. 2008-07-18. Retrieved 2008-07-18.
- ^ a b c d e Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2011). "Clarias batrachus" in FishBase. December 2011 version.
- ^ a b c d e Ng, Heok Hee, and Kottelat, Maurice (2008). The identity of Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758), with the designation of a neotype (Teleostei: Clariidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 153: 725–732.
- ^ a b c d e f Robins, Robert H. "Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department: Walking Catfish". Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
- ^ Byington, Cara (2020-07-23). "The Invasive Catfish That Walks Across Parking Lots". Cool Green Science. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
- ^ "Walking Catfish (Clarias batrachus)". The Cabinet of Freshwater Curiosities.
- ^ Krueger, Radha, Facts: Walking Catfish in Florida, Florida Museum of Natural History, October 26, 2017
- ^ "Environment Agency warning over Clarias Catfish found in River Tonge, Bolton". The Bolton News. July 19, 2017.
- ^ Pla duk Archived 2009-02-01 at the Wayback Machine (in Thai)
External links
- Ros, Wolfgang (2004): "Clarias batrachus - Erfolgreiche Froschwels-Nachzucht im Aquarium", Datz 57 (7): 12–15.
- Ros, Wolfgang (2006): "Clarias batrachus - Auslösen der Fortpflanzung bei Froschwelsen", Datz 59 (4): 33–37.