Finfish Breeding and Hatchery Management

Unit 10 - Breeding of catfishes

10.1. Breeding of Asian catfish (Clarias batrachus )
Clarias batrachus is cultured mainly in Thailand, Bangladesh and India.
An important foodfish, commands high price (up to Rs. 200/-per kg) depending on local preference
The catfishes of commercial/aquacultural importance are

• Asian catfish, Clarias batrachus,
• African catfish, Clarias gariepinus,
• European catfish, Silurus glanis,
  
• American catfish, Ictalurus spp.,
• Thai catfish, Pangasius hypothalamus, etc.

Distribution and importance of C. batrachus

• C. batrachus belongs to the family Claridae and Order Cypriniformes.
• Also known as `Magur or walking catfish’, it is distributed in India, Bangladesh, Thailand, etc.
• Found in derelict water bodies like swamps, marshes and ponds and tanks.
• Can be cultured in oxygen-poor waters, as it is an air-breathing fish
• An important food fish in North-Eastern States such as Assam, West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, etc.
• But carnivorous and cannibalistic when food is scarce.
• Grows to 200 g in 6-8 months

Identifying characters

• Elongated body.
• Head moderately depressed.
• Mouth terminal.
• Barbels four pairs, the maxillary pair extends considerably beyond base of pectoral fin while the nasal barbells extend to gill openings.
• Dorsal fin inserted slightly anterior to tip of pectoral fins.
• Pectoral spine strong, finely serrated on both sides.
• Adults are dingy-greenish or brownish superiorly, becoming lighter beneath; the vertical fins usually with reddish margins.

Food and feeding

• Adults are carnivorous and cannibalistic when food is scarce.
• Juveniles are omnivorous.
• Fry feed on zooplankton, while fingerlings prefer small crustaceans, worms, mollusks, etc.

Clarias batrachus