Erroneously reported from Lake Victoria under the name C. anguillaris by Copley (1941), a misidentification (Seegers et al. 2003).

This species is widespread throughout the lower courses of east flowing rivers along the Indian Ocean coast with no widespread major threats identified. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern.

Clarias gariepinus has a virtually Pan-African in distribution. In Asia, it occurs in Jordan, Syria and southern Turkey (Skelton 2001). It has also been introduced into Brazil and Southeast Asia.

Central Africa: In Lower Guinea it occurs naturally in the upper Sanaga River, Cameroon. Following widespread introductions the species is currently caught in the Ogowe basin, and in small coastal basins in southern Gabon and in the Kouilou, Republic of the Congo. Clarias gariepinus has been introduced as aquaculture species and for predation on stunted Tilapia, in 1972 and 1973 from Central Africa to Cameroon. For the same reasons it was also introduced from Central Africa to Gabon between 1972 and 1978, and to Congo in 1972 and 1973. Two specimens collected from the Djerem basin (Sanaga River basin) in Cameroon are probably due to escapees from the Fisheries Station at Yaoundé (Southern Cameroon) of stocks originating from the Benue River (Northern Cameroon). A less likely alternative explanation is that they result from contacts between the Logone system and the Djerem system. There are museum records from Cameroon, Gabon and Congo. The species is naturally reproducing and established in the wild.

Eastern Africa: This species is widespread in eastern Africa, including Lakes Victoria, Edward, Kivu, Tanganyika, Rukwa, Bangwelo, Malawi and their affluent rivers and wetlands. It has been introduced into the upper Akagera system.

Northern Africa: It is common in lower and This species is known from upper Egyptian Nile and freshwater regions of coastal lakes.

Northeast Africa: Clarias gariepinus is found in Ghazal and Jebel systems, White and Blue Nile, Lake Nasser (also known as Lake Nubia), Lakes Kundi and Keilak, and several water systems of Ethiopia.

Southern Africa: Its range has been extended along the coastal rivers of South Africa through translocations and accidental introductions.

Western Africa: This species is known from the Lake Chad, the basins of the rivers Shari, Logone, Benue, Niger, Oshun, Ogun, Ouémé, Mono, Volta, Bandama, This species is known from upper Comoé and Senegal.

Central Africa: Populations of Clarias gariepinus of the Okavango Delta, Botswana, are observed in shoals on a feeding migration. This feeding migration can be defined as pack-hunting. Pack-hunting commences with the drawdown of the annual flood level. (Merron 1993).

Eastern Africa: Population not known, but well represented in many regional fisheries with a decline in catches reported in Lake Victoria.

North East Africa: Unknown but very common.

Southern Africa: Abundant and widespread.

Northern and Western Africa: No information available.

Clarias gariepinus is a benthopelagic, potamodromous species that occurs mainly in quiet waters, lakes and pools but may also occur in fast flowing rivers and in rapids (Teugels 1986). This species is widely tolerant of extreme environmental conditions. The presence of an accessory breathing organ enables this species to breath air when very active or under very dry conditions. It remains in the muddy substrates of ponds and occasionally gulp air through the mouth (de Moor and Bruton 1988). It can leave the water at night using its strong pectoral fins and spines in search of land-based food or can move into the breeding areas through very shallow pathways (Burgess 1989). Clarias gariepinus is a bottom feeder which occasionally feeds at the surface (Teugels 1986). It forages at night on a wide variety of prey (Burgess 1989). It feeds on insects, plankton, invertebrates and fish but also takes young birds, rotting flesh and plants (de Moor and Bruton 1988). It is known to hunt in packs in the Okavango River, herding and trapping small fishes. During intra-specific aggressive interactions, this species was noted to generate electric organ discharges that were monophasic, head-positive and lasting from 5-260 ms (Baron et al. 1994). It is known as sharptooth catfish in aquaculture, a highly recommended food fish in Africa (Okeyo 2003). Clarias gariepinus is an oviparous species and spawning takes place during the rainy season in flooded deltas. It breeds in summer after rains, when large numbers of fish migrate to shallow grassy or reedy verges of rivers and lakes. Eggs are laid on vegetation and hatch within 25-40 hours. Larvae are free-swimming and feed within 2-3 days, remaining inshore within vegetation cover. Growth is rapid but variable depending on local conditions. It tolerates a wide range of pollution, and can endure harsh conditions such as high turbidity or dessication and is frequently the last inhabitant of drying pools, where it may form burrows.

There is no information available on threats to this species.

Northern Africa - One of the most important fishes in Egypt and Africa, well marketable. Becoming important in aquaculture. Total production in 1996 from the River Nile about 11,310 tons, i.e. contributes about 17,5% of the total Nile Catch in Egypt (GAFRD 1996, Bishai and Khalil 1997).

Western Africa - Important in fisheries and aquaculture throughout the region and in other parts of Africa.

No information available.