African catfish

Q: How big does African catfish get?

African catfish can grow up to 170.0 cm long and weigh 60.0 kg.

Q: What family does African catfish belong to?

African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) belongs to the family Clariidae (Airbreathing Catfish) in the order Siluriformes (Catfishes).

Abstract

Able to breathe atmospheric air and survive brief spells out of water, Clarias gariepinus is among the largest and most widely distributed freshwater catfishes in Africa, reaching 170 cm and 60 kg. That physiological tolerance underpins both its natural range, which spans much of the continent, and its dominance in aquaculture: it is farmed for food across Africa and well beyond. A member of the family Clariidae in the order Siluriformes, it occurs from the surface down to about 80 metres and is also pursued as a game fish.