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walking catfish (Clarias batrachus)
Specimen imageSPECIMEN IMAGE
walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) specimen
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Clariidae

walking catfish

Clarias batrachus

Wiggling on land using pectoral fins

  • Tropical
  • Regional distribution
  • Southeast Asia
  • Elongated
  • Medium
  • Tropical fish

The walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) is a species of freshwater airbreathing catfish native to Southeast Asia. It is named for its ability to "walk" and wiggle across dry land, to find food or suitable environments. While it does not truly walk as most bipeds or quadrupeds do, it can use its pectoral fins to keep it upright as it makes a wiggling motion with snakelike movements to traverse land.

Family
Clariidae
Genus
Clarias
Maximum length
47 cm
Body shape
elongated
Distribution
Asia: Java, Indonesia. Clarias aff. batrachus from Indochina and Clarias aff. batrachus from Sundaland have been misidentified as Clarias batrachus from Java. Introduced elsewhere. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Conservation status
LCLeast Concern

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