Facts, Information, Scientific Name of Walking Catfish
An air-breathing fish that can use its fins to walk on land.
Name- Walking Catfish
Scientific name- Clarias batrachus
Size- 1.6 ft
Habitat and Distribution –
Walking Catfish are found in Tropical regions of Southeast Asia. It is a resident species of Southeast Asia. Indonesia, Bangladesh, China, etc are the countries where Catfish is found.
Catfish are found in still water. It can survive in low-oxygen water. The habitat of low-oxygen water can be Ponds, Canals, Ditches, etc.
It is a bottom dweller, but it can appear on the surface to breathe.
Appearance –
The body of this catfish is slimy and covered with mucus. The mucus keeps the moisture when fish is out of water. It lacks scales like other fish. The colour is grey or brown with white spots. There are large Barbels (beards) which have a sensory function. There are Dorsal and Anal fins present.
Food-
Catfish can feed on Molluscs, Invertebrates, Detritus and Aquatic weeds. If there is a suitable amount of this diet, Walking Catfish is an invasive species, which means the number of Walking Catfish will increase which will disturb the balance of the Food chain.
Breeding –
Breeds during Summer or in June – August.
Sexual maturity is at 1 year.
They are monogamous species. Courtship is to swim for days.
They built a nest in the caves on the land.
Mating and Spawning for 20 hours. The adult female lays 7,000-9,000 eggs. The eggs she lays are internally fertilized.
The young hatch within 24 hours and become independent in 3 days.
Also See ⇒ Seahorse