All fish / Clariidae

Walking Catfish

Clarias batrachus

Also known as walking catfish, albino walking catfish, clarias catfish, magur, philippine catfish, albino clarias, marbled walking catfish, ปลาดุกด้าน, ikan keli, ヒレナマズ, ikan lele, lele

A long, eel-like catfish with four pairs of barbels, a long dorsal and anal fin and an extra breathing organ that lets it gulp air. It is sold mostly as the pink-white albino form and kept for its hardiness and character, though it grows large and eats anything it can swallow.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

35 cm

Temperature

20 to 28 °C

pH

6 to 8

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

Best kept alone

Diet

Carnivore: sinking pellets, fish fillet, prawns, earthworms and insects

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 15 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Southeast Asia (Indonesia: Java; wider Asian records often refer to related species)

Breeding

Pairs dig nests in soft banks during the rainy season and the male guards the eggs. Captive spawning in home aquariums is rare; commercial farms usually use hormone induction.

Good to know

Keeping, selling or moving live walking catfish is illegal in the USA under federal injurious wildlife rules and banned or restricted in several other places, so check local law. It will eat tankmates, can escape through small gaps and crawl across land, so a tight lid is essential.