Forest Walking Catfish (Clarias leiacanthus)
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| A relatively large Forest Walking Catfish found in a shallow forest stream. |
Family: Clariidae
Species Name: Clarias leiacanthus
Common Name: Forest Walking Catfish
Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Freshwater forest streams
Conservation Status: Vulnerable (Red Data Book 3)
The smallest of the three native walking catfishes in Singapore but arguably the most attractive looking. It can still reach a maximum size of around 30cm and has a noticeably shorter build than the other two species found in Singapore. The Forest Walking Catfish has a rather limited distribution across the Central Catchment Nature Reserve where it has a preference for slow-moving and deeper freshwater streams for larger individuals. It is a common sight in the Nee Soon Swamp Forest.
Like all walking catfishes, they have the ability to breathe air and even travel short distances on land to search for new water bodies. This nocturnal fish feeds by sifting through sediment with its sensitive barbels, searching for prey such as smaller fishes and invertebrates.
The Forest Walking Catfish can be differentiated from the Common Walking Catfish (Clarias batrachus) by having a larger gap between the dorsal fin and the occipital process (the head's bony plates). Whereas to differentiate between it and the Slender Walking Catfish (Clarias nieuhofii), the Forest Walking Catfish's tail is clearly unfused from both the dorsal and anal fins, while the opposite is for the Slender Walking Catfish.
If established in its habitat, the invasive African Sharptooth Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) can outcompete it due to its much larger size and voracious nature.
Common Name: Forest Walking Catfish
Presence in Singapore: Native
Habitat: Freshwater forest streams
Conservation Status: Vulnerable (Red Data Book 3)
The smallest of the three native walking catfishes in Singapore but arguably the most attractive looking. It can still reach a maximum size of around 30cm and has a noticeably shorter build than the other two species found in Singapore. The Forest Walking Catfish has a rather limited distribution across the Central Catchment Nature Reserve where it has a preference for slow-moving and deeper freshwater streams for larger individuals. It is a common sight in the Nee Soon Swamp Forest.
Like all walking catfishes, they have the ability to breathe air and even travel short distances on land to search for new water bodies. This nocturnal fish feeds by sifting through sediment with its sensitive barbels, searching for prey such as smaller fishes and invertebrates.
The Forest Walking Catfish can be differentiated from the Common Walking Catfish (Clarias batrachus) by having a larger gap between the dorsal fin and the occipital process (the head's bony plates). Whereas to differentiate between it and the Slender Walking Catfish (Clarias nieuhofii), the Forest Walking Catfish's tail is clearly unfused from both the dorsal and anal fins, while the opposite is for the Slender Walking Catfish.
If established in its habitat, the invasive African Sharptooth Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) can outcompete it due to its much larger size and voracious nature.
References
- Lim, K.P. and Ng, K.L. 1990. A Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre.
- Lim, K.K.P. 2013. African sharp-toothed walking catfish at Upper Seletar. Singapore Biodiversity Records, 2013: 107. National University of Singapore.
- National Parks Board (NParks). Freshwater Fishes. Retrieved from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/nature/species-list/freshwater-fishes.
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