African Sharptooth CatfishClarias gariepinusDove e quando osservarli

The African sharptooth catfish is a large freshwater fish native to much of Africa, including the Nile basin, and parts of the Middle East. Its elongated body, flattened head and prominent barbels make it one of the region's distinctive bottom-dwelling fishes. An accessory air-breathing organ allows it to survive in waters with very little dissolved oxygen. It is important in inland fisheries and aquaculture, although introductions outside its native range can threaten local wildlife.

Size

Commonly 50 to 100 cm long; exceptionally reaches about 170 cm.

Weight

Large individuals can reach about 60 kg, though most are much smaller.

Lifespan

Reported to live up to about 15 years.

Status

Least Concern (IUCN).

This catfish is mainly active at night and around dusk, although it may also feed during daylight. It often rests near the bottom or among cover when inactive. Its barbels and other sensory systems help it locate food in muddy water and darkness. It regularly rises to the surface to gulp air, particularly in oxygen-poor conditions. During wet weather, it can sometimes move short distances over damp ground using vigorous body movements and its pectoral fins. Rising water and flooding can trigger movements into shallow, newly inundated areas for spawning. Eggs are scattered among flooded vegetation, and the adults do not provide parental care.

• Its eight barbels help it find food in murky water.
• It breathes air using branched organs above the gills.
• It can cross damp ground during wet conditions.
• Despite its name, it has many small teeth rather than large fangs.

Wildlife opportunities depend on the river reach, water levels and species. River-specific viewing months have not been confirmed; general species seasons are not a local sighting forecast.

African sharptooth catfish inhabit rivers, lakes, swamps, floodplains and reservoirs. Within the Nile basin, they use both permanent waters and seasonally flooded habitats where these remain accessible. Slow-moving reaches, muddy bottoms and vegetated margins provide feeding and resting areas. Their ability to breathe air helps them tolerate warm, stagnant and oxygen-poor water that many other fishes cannot endure.

This species is an opportunistic omnivore and predator with a highly varied diet. It eats fish, aquatic insects, crustaceans, molluscs and other available animals, as well as plant material and organic debris. Larger individuals may take frogs or other small vertebrates, and cannibalism can occur. Feeding opportunities often increase when rising water opens access to productive floodplain habitats.

Common name

African Sharptooth Catfish

Scientific name

Clarias gariepinus

Animal group

Fish

Size

Commonly 50 to 100 cm long; exceptionally reaches about 170 cm.

Weight

Large individuals can reach about 60 kg, though most are much smaller.

Lifespan

Reported to live up to about 15 years.

Status

Least Concern (IUCN).

Identification

Look for an elongated, scaleless body, a broad flattened head and four pairs of barbels around the mouth. The dorsal and anal fins are very long, but both remain separate from the rounded tail fin. Colour ranges from dark grey or brown to mottled olive, usually with a paler underside. Unlike the superficially similar African catfish of the genus Heterobranchus, it lacks an adipose fin behind the long dorsal fin.