Wallago Catfish: Best 10 Benefits

Wallago Catfish

Wallago Catfish is an invasive freshwater fish species that wreaks havoc on ecosystems across Asia and Africa, but what does it look like?

The Wallago Catfish is a brownish-yellow color with irregular dark scars or spots on the dorsal side. This large fish has a long, rounded head, and its tail is about two-thirds of the body length.

The pectoral fins are small, with the front edge of the anal fin right under them, sitting over where their pelvic fins would be.

It has an elongate body and a rounded head, with the mouth relatively small and the lower jaw jutting out.

The dorsal fin begins over the shoulder and has 81 to 93 rays. Its anal fin is about 1.3 times as long as the dorsal fin, or shorter than that if it is in a river or lake.

Wallago Catfish Characteristics

The Wallago Catfish can be distinguished from other catfish species by its specific characteristics, including a mouth that is relatively small and the lower jaw jutting out.

It has a rounded head and an elongate body, with the dorsal fin beginning over the shoulder and having 81 to 93 rays.

The Wallago Catfish is native to Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the Ganges River system.

It was introduced into Lake Albert in Uganda in 1985 and was thought to be a single species of catfish for decades.

It is now known to be the same fish species as the Siamese rock catfish and is found in several lakes in Uganda, including Lake Kyoga.

It has been introduced into a range of other countries, including Egypt, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique, and Tanzania.

Appearance

The Wallago Catfish has an elongate-shaped body and a rounded head, with the mouth relatively small and the lower jaw jutting out.

The dorsal fin begins over the shoulder and has 81 to 93 rays. It has an anal fin that is about 1.3 times as long as the dorsal fin, or it is shorter than that if it is in a river or lake. It is brownish-yellow in color with irregular dark scars or spots on its upper side.

Distribution

The Wallago Catfish usually travels upstream through rivers and streams to high mountain lakes. Water temperature below the fish’s tolerance level causes it to die and rot, so it rarely moves through water warmer than about 30°C.

In shallow lakes, the fish can freeze but survive warmer temperatures for an extended period. It is often found in reservoirs, lakes, and ponds as well.

Life Cycle

The Wallago Catfish hatches as a free-swimming larva that lives in the water and feeds on smaller fish. It has a large head and is good at hiding in cover, making it difficult to find and catch by humans.

If it has to move up or downstream through water, it usually uses rock or another object to push itself along.

Classification

The Wallago Catfish belongs to the family of Ictaluridae and is a type of catfish. It is scientifically described as “Ictalurus punctatus.”

Habitat

Wallago Catfish are native to cold, clear lakes and rivers with large hard, silty, rocky substrates.

They prefer clear, slow-moving water with plenty of cover for spawning and hiding. They are also known as “rock catfishes.”

Wallago Catfish prefer hard, silty, rocky substrates with abundant cover. However, they are found in sluggish streams with small amounts of current and swamps and sluggish rivers.

Wallago also tolerates water temperatures that range from about 15°C to 27°C (59°F to 80°F). They are often found near branches and overhangs in trees, especially overhangs on the surface of fast-flowing water.

Maximum Standard Length

The maximum recorded length of the Wallago Catfish is 100 cm (39.37 inches), total length.

Life Expectancy

The expected life span of the Wallago Catfish is 15 years.

Aquarium Size

Wallago Catfish are considered moderately easy to breed in aquariums and will breed readily with other species of catfish or even other non-related species.

There are hundreds of varieties of catfish that can be used for breeding purposes. They should be housed in groups of 3 or more with at least one male per group because they may fight if they are overcrowded. Wallago Catfish are also known to pair up and spawn even when housed alone.

Maintenance

Wallago Catfish can be difficult to keep in an aquarium because of the amount of maintenance.

They are susceptible to diseases like “Cryptocaryon,” which requires that they be kept in a heavily filtered aquarium with good water quality.

Wallago Catfish also require large groups, making it expensive to maintain as they need a minimum of 7. They are easy to breed, so if one dies, another will easily take its place.

Water Conditions

Wallago Catfish are not fussy about their water conditions and will survive in a wide range of temperatures, although they thrive best in cool water. The ideal tank temperature for Wallago Catfish is 20–27 °C.

Similar to most other species of catfish, Wallago Catfish are carnivores and will eat just about anything that will fit in their mouth. They are especially fond of live feeder fish such as guppies and other small fish.

Diet

Wallago Catfish are omnivorous. They will eat insects, crustaceans, worms, small fish, and plant matter such as algae. The best food for them is bloodworms and blackworms.

Species Information

Wallago Catfish is an extremely popular fish in the aquarium trade due to its beautiful markings. It is available in various color forms, depending on the population it originated from. It is also known for being quite personable.

Caution:

Wallago Catfish have razor-sharp pectoral fin spines to deliver an exceptionally painful wound. Catching this fish with your bare hands is not recommended or advised. The Wallago Catfish can be found in the following countries: India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Behavior and Compatibility

These fish are good community tank mates. They will eat smaller fish, so keeping them in a large enough aquarium is advisable.

Lastly, the males are territorial and may fight with each other. Keeping several females per male is recommended for the health of the fish.

Sexual Dimorphism

Wallago Catfish have females that are usually longer than males. There is also more of a difference in the female’s caudal fin size.

Wallago Catfish do best when kept in groups of at least four and preferably five. They need groups because they are prone to becoming aggressive to other fish in their tank if they feel threatened.

The Benefit Of Wallago Catfish

Here Are The Best 10 Benefits Of Wallago Catfish

1. Wallago Catfish Is Suitable For Beginners.

It can be easily reared and bred in aquariums, making it an ideal first fish. It doesn’t require much space or weight of food to survive and can easily be housed in smaller aquariums.

This makes it a good beginner’s choice among other species of catfish available in the market today.

2. Wallago Catfish Have A Beautiful Appearance.

Wallago Catfish possess a lovely pattern on its body that makes them stand out. This feature also makes it desirable to hobbyists and beginners, as Wallago has garnered attention from other fish keepers.

3. Wallago Catfish Is A Strong Swimmer And Forager.

Wallago Catfish are quite active fish capable of swimming and scavenging for food on their own, making them suitable for aquariums with limited space or low-maintenance conditions.

4. Wallago Catfish Can Be A Good Tank Cleaner.

Wallago Catfish are known to pick up residues and other organic particles. This makes them suitable for use in aquariums with heavily planted tanks, as the fish can move waste material to the tank’s surface and then enjoy it.

5. Wallago Is An Excellent Feeder For Other Fish.

Wallago will eat crickets, water fleas, small flies, and snails. A variety of live feeder fish could be used to boost the appetite of the Wallago Catfish and make their feasting on them more nourishing.

6. Wallago Is A Suitable Fish For Beginners.

For those who are new to the hobby, Wallago Catfish can be an ideal tank mate since it isn’t fast-moving and is easy to feed.

This makes it a good fish for beginners because anyone with limited knowledge of aquarium keeping can easily keep these catfish.

7. Wallago Is Not A Picky Eater.

Catfish do not worry about what it eats, making them a suitable tank mate for other fish that may be picky eaters. Wallago also does well with live feeder fish and other varieties of fish food.

8. Catfish Is An Ideal Community Tank Mate For Beginners.

It can be kept with other varieties of catfish and with any peaceful fish that isn’t overly aggressive or territorial. Wallago Catfish are more tolerant of other fish than some other types of fish.

9. Wallago Is One Of The Less Expensive Catfish Species In The Aquarium Trade.

Wallago Catfish are generally very inexpensive, especially compared with other catfishes available today.

They can be found for as low as USD 1 per fish, making it affordable for beginners and hobbyists on a budget.

10. Wallago Is Not An Aggressive Fish.

It is not aggressive and will not fight if other fish are in the aquarium. It can be kept with smaller catfish and breeds easily, making it a suitable tank mate for most small fish species.

Conclusion

Catfish is a very beautiful addition to any home or room with a fascination for natural beauty and design.

It makes for an ideal tank mate for beginners because it doesn’t require much space as it breeds easily and quickly.

Wallago Catfish is one of the less expensive species of catfish available in the aquarium trade, making them affordable for beginners with a limited budget for the hobby. Thanks for reading this article.

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