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African sharptooth catfish

Clarias gariepinus

Clarias gariepinus (African sharptooth catfish)
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Distribution
Distribution map: Clarias gariepinus (African sharptooth catfish)

least concern



Profile status
Dossier:
D (2019-05-09)
WelfareCheck:
F (2017-06-12)
Advice:
F (2019-05-09)
Taxonomy
Order:
Actinopterygii
Class:
Siluriformes
Family:
Clariidae
Source:
Ethograms
In the wild:
Dyes
Farm/lab:
Dyes
Catch/lab:
not investigated by us yet
Habitat
Temperature:
D10-41 °C
Photoperiod:
no data found yet
Substrate:
DDyes
Growth
Length:
D35-124 cm (total length)
Weight:
D300-8,800 g
Maturity:
D0.8-6 years
Malformations:
Dyes
Swimming
Home range:
D2-70 ha
Depth:
D0.1-40 m
Migration:
Dpotamodromous
Activity type:
Dvarying
Reproduction
Nest building:
Dno
Courtship:
Dyes
Mating type:
no data found yet
Brood care:
Dno
Social behaviour
Aggregation:
Daggregation
Organisation:
Dlinear hierarchy
Aggression:
Dyes
Handling
Stress | farm:
DDyes
Slaughter | farm:
Fyes
Stress | catch:
not investigated by us yet
Slaughter | catch:
not investigated by us yet
Commercial concerns
Frequency | farm:
F276,000,000-556,000,000 individuals/year
Methods | farm:
Fvarying
Frequency | catch:
not investigated by us yet
Methods | catch:
not investigated by us yet

Farming remarks

Clarias gariepinus is a very resilient and fast growing air-breathing fish. It is farmed mostly in Africa, South America, Asia and China, using extensive and traditional methods as well as intensive and industrial techniques. Probably due to its resilience, and despite promising biological traits, some aspects of welfare are either disregarded or overlooked. It is an aggressive fish and easily stressed by usual rearing conditions and practices. It is sensitive to environmental cues when spawning, and usual farming procedures for reproduction are highly invasive. If proper attention is given to these aspects and if reared in conditions that respect spatial needs, it has potential to be reared in good welfare conditions.

For details see: WelfareCheck | farm (latest major release: 2017-06-12)
For recommendations see: Advice | farm (latest major release: 2019-05-09)

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