Alligator Hatchlings And Catfish 01 Footage

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The Walking Catfish (Clarias batrachus) is a species of freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia. In Florida, they grow to about 20 inches long and 2.5 pounds, and their distinct long bodies have long dorsal and anal fins. Most Walking Catfish in the wild are a uniform shade of gray-brown with white spots on their sides, though albinos are sometimes encountered. These bottom dwelling fish prefer to move from one body of water to another in search of new food sources or mating partners. They move across the land by wiggling from side to side and use their pectoral fins to stay upright usually during wet weather. They have a special gill structure that allows them to breathe atmospheric air when out of water. This non-native fish species was most likely introduced to Florida by humans in the 1960s, probably due to escapes from aquaculture facilities. The Walking Catfish thrives in South Florida’s climate, and prefers the stagnant or slow-moving waters of ponds and canals that can be found in much of Florida.

Walking catfish are a bottom feeders and the barbels around their mouths help them locate food under low light conditions, at night and in low visibility water. Which is necessary because they prefer to live in murky waters and usually feed at night. They are omnivores who indiscriminately feed on insects, crustaceans, eggs and larva of other fish, as well as smaller fish, and a wide variety of plant matter. When food options run low in their current habitat, they are motivated to move to another body of water in search of better food choices. The walking catfish provides an important food source for many native animals, including American alligators, during South Florida’s dry season when the water levels can fall dangerously low. This footage was filmed by Heiko Kiera aka ojatr..