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{{Short description|Species of fish}}
{{about| Clarias batrachus|the Sri Lanka walking catfish|Clarias brachysoma}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Walking catfish
| image = Clarias batrachus-ZOO.Brno.jpg
| image_caption =
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 13 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Ng, H.H. |author2=Low, B.W. |date=2019 |title=''Clarias batrachus'' |volume=2019 |page=e.T166613A1138872 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T166613A1138872.en |access-date=13 November 2021}}</ref>
| taxon = Clarias batrachus
| authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]])
| synonyms = {{Specieslist
|Silurus batrachus|Linnaeus, 1758
|Clarias punctatus|[[Achille Valenciennes|Valenciennes]], 1840
|Clarias assamensis|[[Francis Day|Day]], 1877
}}
}}

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 [[biped]]s or [[quadruped]]s do, it has the ability to use its [[pectoral fin]]s to keep it upright as it makes a wiggling motion with snakelike movements to traverse land.<ref name=metrocatfish>{{cite news
|title=Catfish 'walk' down street
|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?in_article_id=225308
|publisher=[[Metro.co.uk]]
|date=2008-07-18
|access-date=2008-07-18}}</ref> This fish normally lives in slow-moving and often [[stagnant (water)|stagnant]] waters in ponds, swamps, streams, and rivers, as well as in flooded [[rice paddy|rice paddies]], or temporary pools that may dry up. When this happens, its "walking" skill allows the fish to move to other aquatic environments. Considerable [[Taxonomy (biology)|taxonomic]] confusion surrounds this species and it has frequently been confused with other close relatives.<ref name=fishbase>{{FishBase |genus= Clarias|species= batrachus| month = December| year = 2011}}</ref><ref name=NgKottelat>Ng, Heok Hee, and [[Maurice Kottelat|Kottelat, Maurice]] (2008). ''The identity of Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758), with the designation of a neotype (Teleostei: Clariidae).'' Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 153: 725–732.</ref> One main distinction between the walking catfish and the native North American [[ictalurid]] catfish with which it sometimes is confused, is that the walking catfish lacks an [[adipose fin]].<ref name=florida_museum/>

== Characteristics and anatomy ==
[[File:Clari batra 110829-16992 jtg.JPG|thumb|Lateral view. Notice small white lateral spots]]
[[File:Clari batra 110829-16975 jtg.JPG|thumb|Head dorsal view.]]
The walking catfish has an elongated body shape and reaches almost {{convert|0.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length and {{convert|1.2|kg|abbr=on}} in weight.<ref name=fishbase/> Often covered laterally in small white spots, the body is mainly coloured a gray or grayish brown.<ref name=florida_museum/> This catfish has long-based [[dorsal fin|dorsal]] and [[anal fin]]s,<ref name=florida_museum/> as well as several pairs of sensory [[barbel (anatomy)|barbels]]. The skin is scaleless, but covered with [[mucus]], which protects the fish when it is out of water.
[[File:মাগুর মাছের অতিরিক্ত শ্বাসযন্ত্র.jpg|alt=Air-breathing organ of Walking Catfish|thumb|Air-breathing organ of walking catfish]]
This fish needs to be handled carefully when fishing it due to its embedded sting or thorn-like defensive mechanism hidden behind its fins (including the middle ones before the tail fin, similar to the majority of all catfishes).

== Taxonomy, distribution, and habitat ==
The walking catfish is a [[tropical]] species native to [[maritime Southeast Asia]]. The native range of true ''Clarias batrachus'' is confirmed only from the [[Indonesia]]n island of [[Java]], but three closely related and more widespread species frequently have often been confused with this species. These are ''[[Clarias magur|C. magur]]'' of northeast India and [[Bangladesh]], a likely [[undescribed species]] from [[Indochina]], and another likely undescribed species from the [[Thai-Malay Peninsula]], [[Sumatra]], and [[Borneo]].<ref name=fishbase/><ref name=NgKottelat/> Both of these undescribed species have been referred to as, ''Clarias ''[[aff.]]'' batrachus''.<ref name=fishbase/> At present, the taxonomic position of the [[Philippines]] population (called ''hito'' or simply "catfish" by the locals) is unclear, and it also is unclear whether South Indian populations are ''C. magur'' or another species.<ref name=NgKottelat/> As a consequence, much information (behavioral, ecological, related to [[Introduced species|introduced]] populations, etc.) listed for ''C. batrachus'', may be for the closely related species that have been confused with true ''C. batrachus''.<ref name=NgKottelat/> True ''C. batrachus'', ''C. magur'' and the two likely undescribed species are all kept in [[aquaculture]].<ref name=NgKottelat/>

Walking catfish thrive in stagnant, frequently [[hypoxia (environmental)|hypoxic]] waters,<ref name=florida_museum/> and often are found in muddy [[pond]]s, [[canal]]s, [[ditch]]es, and similar habitats. The species spends most of its time on, or right above, the bottom, with occasional trips to the surface to gulp air.<ref name=florida_museum/>

== Diet ==
In the wild, this creature is [[omnivore|omnivorous]]; it feeds on smaller fish, [[mollusc]]s, and other [[invertebrates]], as well as [[detritus]] and aquatic weeds. It is a voracious eater that consumes food supplies rapidly, so it is considered harmful when [[invasive species|invasive]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cabinetoffreshwatercuriosities.com/2013/09/10/walking-catfish-clarias-batrachus/|title=Walking Catfish (Clarias batrachus)|work=The Cabinet of Freshwater Curiosities}}</ref>

== As an invasive species ==
Within Asia, this species has been [[Introduced species|introduced]] widely.<ref name=fishbase/> It has also been [[Introduced species|introduced]] outside its native range where it is considered an [[invasive species]]. It consumes the food supplies of native fish and preys on their young. It also is regarded as an invasive species because they can destroy fish farms.

In the [[United States]], it is established in [[Florida]].<ref>Krueger, Radha, ''[https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/five-facts-walking-catfish-in-florida/Five Facts: Walking Catfish in Florida]'', Florida Museum of Natural History, October 26, 2017</ref> It is reported in [[California]], [[Connecticut]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], [[Massachusetts]], and [[Nevada]].
The walking catfish was imported to Florida, reportedly from [[Thailand]], in the early 1960s for the [[aquaculture]] trade.<ref name=florida_museum>{{cite news
|first = Robert H.
|last = Robins
|title = Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department: Walking Catfish
|url = http://128.227.186.212/fish/Gallery/Descript/WalkingCatfish/WalkingCatfish.html
|publisher = [[Florida Museum of Natural History]] Ichthyology Department
|access-date = 2008-07-24
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929092955/http://128.227.186.212/fish/Gallery/Descript/WalkingCatfish/WalkingCatfish.html
|archive-date = 2007-09-29
}}</ref> The first introductions apparently occurred in the mid-1960s when adult fish imported as brood stock escaped, either from a fish farm in northeastern [[Broward County, Florida|Broward County]] or from a truck transporting brood fish between Dade and Broward Counties. Additional introductions in Florida, supposedly purposeful releases, were made by fish farmers in the [[Tampa Bay]] area, [[Hillsborough County, Florida|Hillsborough County]] in late 1967 or early 1968, after the state banned the importation and possession of walking catfish.

[[File:Phalacrocorax auritusPCCA20060128-2198A.jpg|thumb|Individual being eaten by a [[double-crested cormorant]] in [[Florida]].]]

Aquarium releases likely are responsible for introductions in other states. Dill and Cordone (1997) reported this species has been sold by tropical fish dealers in California for some time. They also have been spotted occasionally in the Midwest.

In Florida, walking catfish are known to have invaded aquaculture farms, entering ponds where they prey on agricultural fish stocks. In response, fish farmers have had to erect fences to protect ponds. Authorities have also created laws that ban possession of walking catfish.

In 2017, ''Clarias'' spp. were recovered from the [[River Tonge]], near [[Bolton]], Northern England.<ref>{{Cite news
|newspaper=[[The Bolton News]]
|title=Environment Agency warning over Clarias Catfish found in River Tonge, Bolton
|date=July 19, 2017
|url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/15418391.VIDEO__Warning_after_stinging_catfish_that_can_WALK_are_spotted_in_local_river/
}}</ref>

== As food ==
[[File:Pecel Lele 1.JPG|thumb|''Pecel Lele'', a popular catfish dish from [[Lamongan Regency|Lamongan]], [[East Java]]]]

In Indonesia, it is commonly referred as ''lele'', in reference to ''lele jawa'' or ''lele kampung'', as opposed to ''lele dumbo'' and ''lele sangkuriang'' referring to aquacultured varieties of ''[[Clarias gariepinus|C. gariepinus]]''. It is the main ingredient in several traditional dishes, such as ''pecel lele'' and ''mangut lele''.

In Thailand, ''Clarias aff. batrachus'' is known as ''pla duk dan'' ({{lang-th|ปลาดุกด้าน}}). It is a common, inexpensive food item, prepared in a variety of ways. It often is offered by street vendors, especially [[barbecue|grille]]d or fried.<ref>[http://www.nicaonline.com/articles1/site/view_article.asp?idarticle=157 Pla duk] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201032819/http://nicaonline.com/articles1/site/view_article.asp?idarticle=157 |date=2009-02-01 }} {{in lang|th}}</ref>

This fish is also one of the most common freshwater catfish in the [[Philippines]], which as aforementioned is known as ''hito'' in the local language. Despite this, current evidence of ''Clarias aff. batrachus'' populations from other regions of southeast asia and india in relation towards ''C. batrachus'' have not been thoroughly studied

== Aquarium ==
A white variation with black patterns is commonly seen in the aquarium fish trade. However, this color variation also is prohibited where walking catfish are banned. Very well-rooted plants and large structures that provide some shade should be included in an aquarium with these fish. Any small tankmates will be eaten by this fish.

== See also ==
*[[Eel catfish]]
*[[List of freshwater aquarium fish species]]
*[[List of invasive species in the Everglades]]
*''[[Clarias magur]]''
*''[[Clarias macrocephalus]]''

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Clarias batrachus}}
* [http://www.catfish-and-more.com/ Ros, Wolfgang] [http://www.datz.de/L0lNR19aT09NP0ZJRD00NDM4MDcmQUlEPTQ0MzgxMCZQQ01EPX4wOTQxNDk0NDNEMzQzNDMzMzgzMTMwMjY0RDQ5NDQzRDM2MzAzOTM1MzcmTUlEPTYwOTU3.html?UID=E3E4D6B16D7A88E02BA61FB6B737C8F87754085F7D27A251ED (2004): "Clarias batrachus - Erfolgreiche Froschwels-Nachzucht im Aquarium"], Datz 57 (7): 12–15.
* [http://www.catfish-and-more.com/ Ros, Wolfgang] [http://www.datz.de/QUlEPTQ0NTEwOSZNSUQ9NjA5NTc.html (2006): "Clarias batrachus - Auslösen der Fortpflanzung bei Froschwelsen"], Datz 59 (4): 33–37.

{{Taxonbar|from=Q852229}}

[[Category:Clarias]]
[[Category:Fish of Southeast Asia]]
[[Category:Fish of Thailand]]
[[Category:Fish described in 1758]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]
[[Category:Fish of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Amphibious fish]]

Walking catfish - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article