FishDatabase

Whitespotted Clarias

Clarias fuscus

Clariidae · freshwater water fish

1 minute read · Species guide

Whitespotted Clarias field guide illustration

About Whitespotted Clarias

Whitespotted clarias are nocturnal freshwater catfish capable of taking air as well as using aquatic respiration.

IntroducedFresh1 states

Natural history

FishBase describes deeper pools in streams, ponds, ditches, and reservoirs, often with thick vegetation offering cover. The diet includes small fish, worms, crustaceans, and insects. Feeding at night and sheltering under plants are important parts of its everyday habitat use.

The scaleless body is brownish or dark gray, with pale dots on the flanks. A rounded tail and long dorsal and anal fins help separate it from channel catfish. USGS traces its Hawaiian introduction to transport from Asia as a food fish, followed by culture in ponds and irrigation ditches.

Sources: Clarias fuscus species summary; whitespotted clarias species profile

Guide sources

Research reviewed 2026-10-19.

Native range

Eastern Asia in south China, Taiwan, and the island of Ishigakijima, Japan (Masuda et al. 1984).

Introduction history

This catfish is believed to have been introduced to Hawaii from Asia by Chinese immigrants, prior to 1900 (Cobb 1902; Jordan and Evermann 1902, 1905; Maciolek 1984). Jordan and Evermann (1905) stated that the species "was introduced from China a few years ago..." The fish was introduced apparently as a food source (Devick 1991b). Cobb (1902) and Jordan and Evermann (1905) stated that the catfish was commonly raised in the irrigation ditches and freshwater ponds in Hawaii and typically sold alive to the Chinese.

Range

Where it lives

Share of 17 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 1 states.
0%
100%
Share of 17 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 1 states.

Share of records by state

Habitat

Water and movement

Water
WoRMS records this species in fresh water.
USGS NAS habitat
Freshwater
US status
Exotic — the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database lists it as introduced from outside North America.
Migration
Undetermined

Classification

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Superclass
Actinopterygii
Class
Teleostei
Order
Siluriformes
Family
Clariidae
Genus
Clarias
Species
Clarias fuscus
ITIS TSN
164122
WoRMS AphiaID
1022031
GBIF key
5202694

Common questions about Whitespotted Clarias

What is the scientific name of Whitespotted Clarias?
The scientific name is Clarias fuscus, in the family Clariidae. Classification follows ITIS.
Does Whitespotted Clarias live in fresh water or salt water?
WoRMS records this species in fresh water.
Where has Whitespotted Clarias been recorded in the United States?
GBIF has observations in 1 states, with the most records in Hawaii. The map shows observation records, which do not establish the complete natural range.

Closest relatives

Other Clarias species

Walking Catfish5 states
Clarias batrachusClariidaeIntroducedFreshBrackish

Same family

More Clariidae

Walking Catfish5 states
Clarias batrachusClariidaeIntroducedFreshBrackish