Common Walking Catfish

The catfish (circled) out of its crevice


Common Walking Catfish Clarias batrachus

A big fish in the stream suddenly caught my attention as I was walking to the canteen just now. It surfaced to gasp for air, and then went on to hide in the hydrilla weed.

It was about 20 centimetres long, grey in colour and had barbels or “whiskers”. It was easily identified as the Common Walking Catfish or air-breathing catfish Clarias batrachus, Ikan Keli Kayu in Malay. It is so named for its ability to “walk” across dry land to find food or suitable environments.

The pectoral fins have a strong spine containing venom and can inflict a nasty wound if the fish is mishandled.

Native, common and highly adaptable, it is the largest freshwater catfish in Singapore. It is found in forested, rural or disturbed streams, canals, drains, ponds and reservoirs where water is stagnated or slow-moving. It is also able to tolerate brackish water. The fish is cultivated in Thailand as it is edible.

I shared my sighting with the canteen stall-helper who said that there were plenty of them hiding by the banks of the stream. A fellow colleague also said that he had seen many types of other fish in the stream. Shrimp were also spotted.

I would discourage you from wading in this stream to catch fish. There is possible presence of the aquatic buffalo leech.