About Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822)
The African sharptooth catfish, Clarias gariepinus, is a large, eel-like fish. It typically has dark gray or black coloration on its back that fades to a white belly. Within Africa, this catfish has been reported to be second in size only to the vundu found in Zambesian waters, though FishBase notes that the African sharptooth catfish actually exceeds the vundu in both maximum length and weight. Average adult length for C. gariepinus falls between 1–1.5 m (3 ft 3 in – 4 ft 11 in). It can reach a maximum total length of 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in) and a maximum weight of up to 60 kg (130 lb). This species has slender bodies and flat bony heads that are notably flatter than the heads of fish in the genus Silurus. It also has broad, terminal mouths equipped with four pairs of barbels. Large accessory breathing organs made of modified gill arches are another key trait, and only its pectoral fins possess spines. This catfish is naturally found across the whole of Africa and the Middle East, where it inhabits freshwater lakes, rivers, and swamps, as well as human-made habitats including oxidation ponds and even urban sewage systems. The African sharptooth catfish was introduced across the globe for aquaculture in the early 1980s, so it can now be found in many countries far outside its original natural range, including Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan, and India. Where native Clarias species exist, such as in Indonesia, the sharptooth catfish can be distinguished from local relatives; in Indonesia, this species is known as lele dumbo.
