Edible · Heated water · Moderate
African catfish
Clarias gariepinus
Extremely hardy, but it needs warmth.
Water temperature 26 to 30 °C (79 to 86 °F) optimal · tolerates 21 to 34 °C (70 to 93 °F)
- pH
- 6 to 8.5
- Dissolved oxygen
- 3.5 to 6 mg/L; can breathe air
- Growth
- 8 to 12 months
- Harvest weight
- 1,500 to 3,500 g
In Belgium and northern France
Water must stay above 21 °C (70 °F): a heated, insulated tank is essential.
Key steps
- Very tolerant of low oxygen: it also breathes air at the surface.
- Tolerates high stocking densities, but a hobbyist sticks to 10 to 20 kg per 1000 L for water quality.
- A lid is a must: it can jump out of the tank.
- Not to be confused with the black bullhead, an invasive species that is banned.
Feeding
Omnivore, accepts a large share of plant protein. In aquaponics, the ration sets the fertilizer available to the plants: 1 to 2% of the fish's body weight per day, what they eat in a few minutes, and less when the water cools down.
Frequently asked questions
African catfish in aquaponics: what water temperature?
Optimal temperature: 26 to 30 °C (79 to 86 °F), tolerated range 21 to 34 °C (70 to 93 °F). Water must be kept above 21 °C (70 °F): a heated, insulated tank is essential.
African catfish: what pH and how much oxygen?
pH 6 to 8.5; dissolved oxygen: 3.5 to 6 mg/L; can breathe air. In aquaponics, aim for a compromise around pH 6 to 7 for the plants.
African catfish: how long does it take to grow?
8 to 12 months, for a harvest weight of 1500 to 3500 g. Diet: omnivorous, accepts a large share of plant protein.
African catfish: how many to put in my tank?
For a hobbyist, stay under 10 to 20 kg of fish per 1000 liters (FAO) and size your system from the feed: 40 to 50 g of feed per m² of leafy greens per day.
- TransFarm (Interreg Central Baltic), Training materials on fish in aquaponics
My observations
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