Catfish, known by its scientific name Clarias, is a scaleless fish that has a native habitat in the fresh waters of the African and Asian continents. With their smooth and elongated bodies, and long dorsal and anal fins, catfish have become an inseparable part of freshwater ecosystems in various parts of the world. The uniqueness of this fish lies in its long whiskers which are similar to cat whiskers, which gives it the distinctive name "catfish".

In addition, the head of a catfish consists of hard bones with small eyes and a wide mouth at the end of an oval dome. This mouth is equipped with four pairs of whiskers (barbells) which function as touch organs, allowing it to move nimbly in dark water. These physical characteristics make catfish unique and adaptive creatures, able to survive in various freshwater conditions.

The characteristic of catfish lies in their long whiskers

The uniqueness of catfish

Catfish have various species which make them known by various names in each region. In Indonesia alone, the names of catfish vary according to the region, reflecting the cultural and linguistic diversity in this country. For example, in West Sumatra, this fish is known as “ limbek fish”; in South Sumatra, known as “kalang fish”; in Gayo it is called “maut fish”; in Aceh it is called "seungko fish"; in Karo it is known as “sibakut fish”; in South Kalimantan as “pintet fish”; in Makassar it is known as “rivet fish”; in South Sulawesi it is called “cepi fish”; in Central Java, this fish is known as "lele"; and in Malaysia it is called "keli fish".

This diversity of names also applies globally. In Africa, catfish is known as “mali”; in Thailand it is called “plamond”; and in Sri Lanka it is known as “gura magura”. In English, catfish have several names such as "siluroid", "mudfish", and "walking catfish", which describe this fish's unique ability to "walk" on land using its fins.

The scientific name of catfish is Clarias, which comes from the Greek "Chloros," which means 'agile' and 'strong.' This name really fits the nature of catfish which is known for its toughness, including its ability to stay alive and move even when out of water. This ability makes catfish a very adaptive fish species and able to survive in a variety of different environmental conditions .

Habitat and habits of catfish

Naturally, catfish can be found in almost all fresh waters, showing their extraordinary adaptability to various types of habitats. Ideal habitats for catfish include rivers with slow, calm water currents, swamps, lakes, reservoirs and flooded rice fields. In these ecosystems, catfish are often the dominant inhabitants, exploiting various environmental features to survive and reproduce.

Catfish prefer clear waters, where they can easily observe their surroundings and find food. However, they are also often found in murky water, especially if it provides enough food and adequate shelter. The habit of making and occupying holes on the banks of rivers or ponds is one of the main adaptations of catfish. These holes are usually located in shallow, sheltered areas and can provide the dark atmosphere that catfish prefer. This dark atmosphere is important because catfish are nocturnal animals that are more active in looking for food at night and use darkness as protection from predators.

Apart from that, catfish tend to avoid places where the surface is covered by aquatic plants. This is because dense aquatic vegetation can hinder their movement and reduce the availability of open space needed for hunting and maneuvering. Catfish prefer open areas where they can freely swim and search for food without hindrance. Open areas also make it easier for them to rise to the surface of the water when they need to take oxygen from the air.

Catfish are never found in brackish or salty waters, because they do not have a high tolerance for salinity. Their habitat is limited to fresh waters, where they can optimize their physiological functions without being disturbed by salinity fluctuations that can disrupt their body's osmotic balance. This explains why they are very common in rivers, lakes, and swamps, but never found in brackish water estuaries or seas.

Why do catfish prefer calm and shallow waters?

There are several reasons why catfish prefer to live in calm and shallow waters. First, the catfish's body structure, which does not have scales, makes it more vulnerable to strong currents. Without protective scales, catfish bodies are more easily injured by hard objects carried by the current or by rough surfaces on the river bed. Therefore, calm waters are a safer option for catfish, allowing them to move more easily and avoid injury. In addition, with weak currents, catfish can save energy that would otherwise be used to fight strong currents, so they can focus more on other important activities such as finding food and reproducing.

The physical form of catfish does not have scales

Apart from that, catfish have a habit of hiding in holes or tunnels that they make on the banks of rivers or ponds. Shallow, calm waters provide an ideal environment for this behavior, as strong currents can destroy their hiding places. These holes serve as shelter from predators and a safe resting place during the day. With calm waters, these holes remain stable and do not break easily, giving catfish a safe place to hide. Additionally, shallow water makes it easier for catfish to access sheltered places, such as under tree roots or between rocks, that many other aquatic predators cannot reach.

Second, catfish have the habit of taking oxygen from the air through additional respiratory organs on their gills (tree). This is an important adaptation that allows catfish to survive in waters with low oxygen content, which are often found in shallow, stagnant waters. Shallow water allows catfish to more easily reach the surface and take in oxygen. This is especially important in areas that have low oxygen content in the water, such as in swamps or ponds covered with vegetation. Under these conditions, catfish can rise to the surface of the water to breathe air, ensuring that they still get enough oxygen to survive.

The ability of catfish to take oxygen from the air makes them very tough and able to survive in less than ideal water conditions. They can live in waters that many other fish may not be able to live in, such as in ponds that are very turbid or that have high levels of pollution. This adaptation not only allows catfish to survive in harsh environments, but also gives them a competitive advantage because they can exploit habitats that other species cannot. As a result, catfish are often one of the dominant species in calm, shallow waters.