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💧 Freshwater Near Threatened 🍽️ Edible ⚠️ Venomous ⚡ Venomous 🌡️ Tropical

Walking catfish

Clarias brachysoma Günther, 1864
Max Length
50 cm
Max Weight
3.6 kg
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.6
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
35.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Facultative air-breathing ; Inhabits rain forest streams and lowland rivers. Feeds at night on fish, worms, frogs, tadpoles and crustaceans.

Scientific Name
Clarias brachysoma
Authority
Günther, 1864
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
NT
Max Length
50 cm
Max Weight
3.6 kg
Trophic Level
3.6
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
35.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Walking catfish is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Walking catfish is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Walking catfish is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Spawning occurs in makeshift nests among weeds in very shallow water. Male guards the nest and young until reaching about 1 cm in length.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal. Tropical endemic to Sri Lanka.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.6±0.6

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00776 × L2.96 (TL)
Max TL
50cm
Max Weight
3,600g

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Near Threatened
Assessment Date
2019

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
35.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.6
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Günther, 1864

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Clarias Brachysoma is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Walking catfish is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Walking catfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

👥 Community & Contribute

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