African Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development | ISSN: 3027-2718

Vol. 2, Issue 2 (April-June, 2024) | www.ijaar.org

BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES OF Clarias gariepinus IN

Department of Forestry and Fisheries

Abstract:
In response to escalating global hunger and poverty rates, aquaculture emerges as a vital
avenue for bolstering food production. This review delves into the biology and fisheries of
Clarias gariepinus, a significant freshwater air-breathing catfish species native to Africa and
widely cultivated across the continent. Despite its popularity in aquaculture, challenges
persist in consistent seed production due to low larval survival rates, particularly in the early
stages. Various studies have explored larval development, behavior, and physiology, crucial
for enhancing seed quality and subsequent adult fish production. Aquaculture, including the
farming of C. gariepinus, has become pivotal in meeting the escalating demand for fish
protein. The species' adaptability to diverse environmental conditions, high fecundity rate,
and tolerance to high-density farming contribute to its significance in aquaculture. Widely
distributed across Africa and parts of Asia, C. gariepinus inhabits calm lakes, rivers, and
swamps, especially those subject to seasonal flooding. Understanding its biology and
fisheries is imperative for sustainable aquaculture practices and meeting the growing global
demand for fish.

Keywords: Clarias gariepinus, aquaculture, freshwater fish, larval development, fisheries,

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D. Y. Bawa (2024). Biology and Fisheries of Clarias gariepinus in Nigerian Inland Waters: Review.
African Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development. 2(2), 11-17. DOI:
10.5281/zenodo.11146610
 African Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development | ISSN: 3027-2718
Vol. 2, Issue 2 (April-June, 2024) | www.ijaar.org

INTRODUCTION
As a result of increase in population and continued depletion of natural resources resulting
from exploitation in developing countries, the cost of living is rising exponentially and so are
the rates of hunger and poverty which have surged to very high levels (Akinrotimi et al.,
2007); (Akinrotimi et al., 2015a). As a result of this factor, cost and demand for food
especially the dietary fish protein has also risen considerably. In view of this, agriculture and
science have been coming up with better ways of accelerating productivity to meet the
population needs (Bekibele & Onunkwo, 2007); (Akinrotimi et al., 2015b). Over the past
decades aquaculture has expanded and diversified in response to the increasing global
demand for fish as a major source of protein (Gabriel & Akinrotimi, 2011). The production
from capture fisheries has thus reached its maximum potential as the catch is dwindling with
each passing day (Gabriel et al., 2007b). According to FAO (2006), fish supplies from
capture fisheries will therefore not be able to meet the growing global demand for aquatic
food.
The African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus is a choice fish for culture as it commands good
market, consumers like its taste and farmers find it easy to culture due to its hardiness. It has
been a principal cultured species across most parts of Africa. It is mostly used to generate
income and provide food for subsistence farmers (Gabriel et al., 2007a). It is cultured
conveniently under mono and poly culture system (Akinrotimi et al., 2011a). The high
demand of fish fingerlings in the high growing aquaculture industry has stimulated the need
for artificial propagation of cultured warm water fisheries (FAO, 2007). The increase in
human population and reports of large numbers of undernourished or starving people,
especially in the developing countries has made the need for food production a major
worldwide issue of concern. For most of our lakes, rivers and oceans, the maximum
sustainable fishing limit has been exceeded. Therefore, fish production will depend on
aquaculture to bridge the gap of fish supply. Hence there is need for alternative culture
approaches (Akinrotimi et al., 2011b).

Traditionally, Nigeria can be classified as a country of fishermen existing in the Niger Benue
river system i.e the Lake Chad, the Kainji Lake and the vast lower Niger region. However,
the importance of fish in the diet of Nigeria further significantly increased after the Sahara
drought of 1971 to 1979. This drought which greatly decimated the cattle population put the
price of livestock virtually in affordable in the majority of Nigeria. This trend thus triggered
an increase in the demand for fish alternative source of animal protein (Omeru & Solomon,
2016).

BIOLOGY
Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822) is a species of freshwater air breathing catfish native to
Africa. Their unique characteristic as an omnivorous feeder, able to stand in harsh condition
including low dissolved oxygen, change of temperature and high level of water pollution,
high resistance of diseases, and delicious taste make them a popular aquaculture species
(Hecht & Appelbaum, 1988; Hogendoorn et al., 1983). Clarias gariepinus is characterized
with nated skin and dougate with fairly long dorsal aid anal fins. The dorsa fin has 61-80 soft
rays and anal fin has 45-65 soft rays. They have strong pectoral fins with spines that over
serrated on the outer side (Teugels, 1986). It possesses nasal and maxillary barbells and
somewhat smallish eyes, their coloring is dark Frey or black dorsally and green colored
ventrally. Adult possess a dark longitudinal lies on either side of the head. However, this is
absent in young fish the head is large, depressed and heavily boned. The mouth is quite large
and subternuials (Shoelton, 1993) and (Teugels, 1986). In C. garipinus, exchange of
respiratory gases i.e. oxygen and carbohydrate takes place through the gills. Like other
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 African Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development | ISSN: 3027-2718
Vol. 2, Issue 2 (April-June, 2024) | www.ijaar.org

mudfish, it has accessory breathing carborescent organs which enable the fish not only live in
stagnant pools but to travel over damp ground. Clarias gariepinus differs from other catfish
in having an auxiliary breathing organ in this special pochet attached to the second and fourth
gillarches and are responsible for the ability of Clarias gariepinus to live out of much longer
than other catfish.

C. gariepinus has pseudo-lungs, long bodies and a high capacity to produce mucous as
adaptations to live in stagnant environments or out of water (Donnelly, 1973). In its natural
range it is omnivorous, feeding on plant material, plankton, arthropods, mollusks, fish,
reptiles, and amphibians (YALÇIN et al., 2001a). Its reproduction is seasonal with gonadal
maturation associated to periods of flooding. The maturation process is influenced by
changes in water temperature and photoperiod, but the increase of water level is the principal
factor for their reproduction (YALÇIN et al., 2001b).

LAVAL DEVELOPMENT
Despite the popularity of this fish, the seed production is still inconsistent due to low larval
survival particularly during the early larval stage (Graaf & JANSSEN, 1996; Hecht &
Appelbaum, 1988). This obstacle still exists even though the protocol for controlled spawning
and larval rearing of C. gariepinus has been established (Graaf & JANSSEN, 1996; Hecht &
Appelbaum, 1988; Hecht et al., 1996; Sudarto, 2007). Larval development of C. gariepinus
has been studied on the topic of by a number of people focusing on digestive system (Verreth
et al., 1992), cost of growth in relation to food intake and oxygen consumption (Conceição et
al., 1995), survival, growth, metabolism and behavior of early larval stages under different
light conditions (Appelbaum & Kamler, 2000), embryo-larval toxicity tests (Nguyen &
Janssen, 2002), feeding practices, growth and nutritional physiology (Verreth et al., 1993)
and others larval development study under different condition. The knowledge of larval
biology in this critical short period is a key element for effective larviculture that directly
affects the seed quality and later of adult (Hansen et al., 2011). Larval behaviour is closely
related to the morphogenesis and sensory organs development (Hubbs & Blaxter, 1986;
Mukai et al., 2008). Fish larvae directly affected with a fluctuating and harsh environment.
The larvae demonstrated several types of responses and behaviour that undertaking to their
survival when they perceive stimuli from the environment.

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 African Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development | ISSN: 3027-2718
Vol. 2, Issue 2 (April-June, 2024) | www.ijaar.org

Photomicrographs showed the typical pattern of early larval stage of Clarias gariepinus from
hatching to 120 hours after hatching (hAH). Scale bar, 1 mm. (A = Anus, Bb = Barbels, Ey =
Eye, Ie = Inner ear, Pi = Peristaltic intestine, J = Jaw, Pf = Pectoral fins, Ys = Yolk sac). (Ing
& Chew, 2015).

AQUACULTURE
Fish farming has become a worldwide practice and has been for years. Increase aquaculture
production is clearly needed to meet this demand in the third millennium because capture
fisheries are at capacity of showing perception decline due to over fishing, habitat destination
and pollution (Omeru & Solomon, 2016). Aquaculture therefore remains the only viable
alternative for increasing fish production in order to meet the protein demand of people. One
of the aquaculture is the increase in the production aid growth rate of fish that will meet the
demand of increase population.The favored catfish species in Nigeria aquaculture includes
Clarias gariepinus, Heterobranchus bidorsalis and Clarias nigrodigitatus. Heterobranchus
species is the more commonly cultured fish in the South eastern parts of Nigeria. Africa
catfish is popular in the market and has great potentials to boost the rapidly growing Nigeria
aquaculture.

Clarias gariepinus is generally considered to be one of the most important tropical fresh
water fish species for aquaculture whose aquaculture potential have been documented (Dada
& Wonah, 2003). (Bruton, 1979) pointed out that C. gariepinus has also high fecundity rate,
grows faster, tolerates high density and environmental extremes. It also adopts wide range of
natural and artificial food and adapts to a variety of feeding modes in expanded niches.

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 African Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development | ISSN: 3027-2718
Vol. 2, Issue 2 (April-June, 2024) | www.ijaar.org

DISTRIBUTION
Clarias gariepinus is widely distributed in Africa and parts of Asia (Israel, Syria and south of
Turkey). Its main habitats are calm lakes, rivers and swamps in areas that flood on a seasonal
basis (Graaf & JANSSEN, 1996). Clarias gariepinus is generally considered one of the most
important tropical species of the aquaculture. It has an almost pan-African distribution
ranging from the mid to West Africa and from Algeria to Southern Africa. They also occur in
Asia Minor (Israel, Syria and South of Turkey). Clarias gariepinus at various geographical
locations bears different values. It is called Clarias lazera in Northern and central Africa,
Clarias gariepinus in South Africa (Spataru et al., 1987).

MONETARY VALUE
Clarias gariepinus is very popular to fish farmers for high market price, fast growth rate,
good food conversion ratio, resistance to diseases infection and ability to withstand adverse
paid conditions especially low oxygen content and high turbidity. The culture of Clarias
gariepinus dry as seed for fish production is becoming increasingly essential as the fish is
contributing to the food abundance and nutritional benefit to the family health, income
generation and employment opportunities (Bamidele, 2007).

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