Family: Clariidae
Clarias gariepinus — a Clariidae from Africa. Reaches 127.5–187 cm; keep at 20–28 °C.
Clarias gariepinus, a member of the family Clariidae, comes from Africa, where it inhabits stagnant waters, swamps and slow rivers. Predatory toward small tankmates and carnivore, it grows to 127.5–187 cm and adapts well to a properly set-up aquarium in the 20–28 °C range. Other Clarias species in our database include Clarias fuscus.
Intermediate difficulty. Predatory toward small tankmates; singles.
Aim for 20–28 °C. Stable warm range; 20–28 °C curated husbandry range.
Expect 127.5–187 cm as an adult, living bottom-dwelling. A 500 L tank or larger gives it room.
Carnivore. Vary the menu — quality flakes or pellets plus frozen or live foods.
Predatory toward small tankmates; singles. Good company: Similar-sized peaceful community fish — Similar size and water needs. Keep away from Much smaller fish — May outcompete or bully tiny tankmates.
Comes from Africa: stagnant waters, swamps and slow rivers. Expect still to gentle and tolerates very low oxygen; air-breathing.
A confirmed jumper: fit a tight lid and lower the waterline slightly.
Bubble-nest builder in some species. Hard to distinguish.