Clarias gariepinus, also known as the African catfish, is a species of freshwater fish in the genus Clarias (catfish genus) that is native to the rivers, lakes and wetlands of tropical and subtropical Africa, but has now spread to other areas of the world. This species is important not only from an ecological point of view, but also from a commercial and cultural point of view, as it is farmed in aquaculture and considered a valuable food source.
The body of the African catfish is robust, serpentine in shape, with short fins and a pronounced hump on the head. It is wide, with 4 pairs of whiskers around the mouth, which help the fish to orientate and find food on the bottom.
The dorsal fin is long and sharp, while the caudal fin is strongly developed. The body is usually dark, ranging from grey to black, and the belly is lighter.
Adults can reach lengths of up to 1.5 metres and weights of over 60 kg, with the average adult size being between 40-60 cm. In aquaculture they are usually smaller but can still grow to a considerable size.
Clarias gariepinus is able to breathe air due to its specialised lungs and is therefore very resistant to low oxygen content in water. This allows it to survive in environments where other fish have failed. It can even survive in muddy waters where oxygen is not sufficiently dissolved.
This makes them very active and strong fish. They often move along the bottom in search of food, but can also swim briefly in the water column.
They are omnivores and consume a wide variety of food material, including fish, invertebrates, plant debris and detritus. In natural conditions, they may also be predators that prey on smaller fish.
This species breeds during the warm months, when females lay thousands of eggs that males fertilise. Reproduction can take place in the wild or in breeding tanks.
This great resilience and rapid growth makes the catfish an important fish for commercial farming, especially in Africa and other areas such as Asia. It is highly valued for its resistance to adverse conditions (such as poor water quality) and rapid growth. In some areas it is grown in special tanks and ponds.
In some African countries, African catfish is an important source of protein and is often part of traditional cuisine.
However, it has become an invasive species in some areas, such as Asia and South America. It can have a negative impact on local ecosystems because it is very aggressive and competitive with other species.
Although Clarias gariepinus is not commonly kept in home aquariums (due to its size and space requirements), it is popular in some larger public aquariums for its impressive appearance and characteristic behaviour.
It is also somewhat amphibious. African catfish can survive out of water for a period of time if it is wet. It can move around on land to find new water sources.
Moreover, although Clarias gariepinus is often a solitary predator, in some cases it can form small groups, especially during migration or during breeding.
The catfish is certainly one example of the great diversity that is not limited to dry land, but is also widely represented in rivers and other bodies of water. The catfish proves that it is not just a delicacy on our plates, but also an interesting part of nature.
