Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

Hui, Tan Heok, Peng, Kelvin Lim Kok, Huan, Liew Jia, Wei, Low Bi, Hing, Rayson Lim Bock, Beng, Jeffrey Kwik Teik & Yeo, Darren C. J., 2020, The non-native freshwater fishes of Singapore: an annotated compilation, Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 68, pp. 150-195 : 167

Clarias gariepinus (Burchell)

( Fig. 56 , AF[SPC])

References. Baker & Lim, 2008, 2012; Ng HH & Tan HH, 2010; Tan HH et al., 2010; Tan HTW et al., 2010; Yeo &

Lim, 2010; Baker, 2013d; Baker & Lim, 2013; Kwik et al., 2013; Ng et al., 2013; Yeo, 2013; Tan, 2014a; Kwik & Yeo, 2015; Tan & Koh, 2015; Ho et al., 2016; Lim et al., 2016; Tan et al., 2016; Tan et al., 2017b.

Distribution. Bedok Reservoir ( Ng HH & Tan HH, 2010); Jurong Lake ( Ng HH & Tan HH, 2010); Kranji Reservoir ( Ng HH & Tan HH, 2010); Upper Seletar Reservoir ( Ng HH & Tan HH, 2010; Baker & Lim, 2013); Lower Seletar Reservoir ( Ng HH & Tan HH, 2010); Pandan Reservoir ( Ng HH & Tan HH, 2010); Upper Peirce Reservoir ( Ng HH & Tan HH, 2010); Rochor canal (now part of Marina Reservoir; Tan HH et al., 2010); Singapore Botanic Gardens ( Yeo & Lim, 2010); Lower Peirce Reservoir ( Baker, 2013d); Pangsua pond ( Kwik et al., 2013); Woodlands Town Park pond ( Kwik et al., 2013); Yishun pond ( Kwik et al., 2013); Bishan Park ( Yeo, 2013; Tan & Koh, 2015); West Coast Park marsh pond ( Tan, 2014a); Singapore Botanic Gardens (Tan HH, pers. obs., 2015); Pulau Tekong ( Lim et al., 2016); Kranji Marsh ( Tan et al., 2016); Singapore Quarry ( Tan et al., 2017b).

Remarks. This African species appears to have displaced the native congener, Clarias batrachus in many of its known habitats in Singapore, and is the subject of present research by Low BW (Ng et al., 2013). The juveniles of this species range from 1–2 cm to 15 cm length, and are commonly sold as live feed in the ornamental fish trade (Tan HH, pers. obs.). The species has been observed to be the subject of mercy/ religious release (Yeo DCJ, pers. obs.).

Figures

Fig. 56. Clarias gariepinus, 240 mm SL, Upper Seletar Reservoir.