Clarias gariepinus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| African catfish | ||||||||||||||
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 Clarias gariepinus
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Secure
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| Clarias gariepinus Linnaeus, 1758 |
Clarias gariepinus or African catfish is a species of catfish (order Siluriformes) of the family Clariidae, the airbreathing catfishes.
Distribution It is found throughout Africa and the middle east and live in freshwater lakes, rivers, swamps, as well as human-made places, such as oxidation ponds or even urban sewer systems.
Description The African catfish is a large, eel-like fish, usually of dark gary or black coloration on the back, fading to a white belly. Average length of adults is 1-1.5 meters. These fish have slender bodies, a flat bony head, notably flatter then in the genus Siluris, and a broad, terminal mouth with four pairs of barbels. They also have a large, accessory breathing organ composed of modified gill arches. Also, only the pectoral fins have spines.
Habits A nocturnal animal, as much of the catfish. Feeds on animal matter: eather live or dead. Thanks to the very wide mouth, able to gulp relatively big prey items whole. Able to crawl on dry ground to escape drying pools, search for food or avoid capture. Able to survive in shallow mud for long periods of time, between rainy seasons.
