Walking Catfish
Clarias batrachus
An invasive species native to Southeast Asia, the walking catfish is capable of breathing air and moving overland between water bodies using its pectoral fins. It has established feral populations throughout South Florida since escaping from fish farms in the 1960s.
Walking Catfish at a glance
- Scientific name
- Clarias batrachus
- Typical size
- 10-20 inches, 1-3 lbs
- Water
- Freshwater
- Habitat
- Exotic
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Uncommon
Habitat
Found in canals, ponds, lakes, and slow-moving waters throughout South Florida, particularly in the Everglades region and surrounding agricultural canals. They thrive in low-oxygen, stagnant waters where other fish cannot survive. Anglers occasionally catch them on cut bait or worms fished on the bottom.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a walking catfish through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksWalking Catfish questions people ask
Walking Catfish is Clarias batrachus.
A typical walking catfish runs 10-20 inches, 1-3 lbs. Cobia records the length and weight of every walking catfish you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Found in canals, ponds, lakes, and slow-moving waters throughout South Florida, particularly in the Everglades region and surrounding agricultural canals. They thrive in low-oxygen, stagnant waters where other fish cannot survive. Anglers occasionally catch them on cut bait or worms fished on the bottom. It is a fresh water species, filed under exotic in the Fishdex.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.