Aquaculture Dynamics of Clarias Gariepinus

The African catfish Clarias gariepinus has emerged as a cornerstone species within global freshwater aquaculture owing to its remarkable tolerance to environmental fluctuations, rapid growth rates and high market value. Its facultative air-breathing capacity permits culture across a range of water qualities, enabling both small-scale pond systems and intensive recirculating aquaculture systems to thrive. Nutritional research has refined feed formulations by balancing protein levels with alternative plant- or insect-based ingredients to reduce costs and environmental impacts. Husbandry advances encompass optimised stocking densities, stringent water quality management and biosecurity protocols to mitigate disease outbreaks, particularly in high-biomass environments. Breeding programmes are tackling seed supply constraints through selective breeding, genetic improvement and standardised hatchery practices to enhance fry survival and performance. Socio-economic studies underscore the importance of consumer perception, targeted marketing strategies and value-added processing for market acceptance and profitability. Cross-disciplinary approaches integrating microbiome analysis, welfare assessment and system engineering continue to drive sustainable intensification of Clarias gariepinus production while safeguarding fish health and environmental stewardship.

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Aquaculture Dynamics of Clarias Gariepinus publication trend

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Technical terms

Recirculating aquaculture system (RAS): A closed-loop production method that filters and reuses water to maintain water quality and reduce environmental discharge.

Stocking density: The biomass of fish per unit volume of water, a key determinant of growth performance and system health.

Microbiome: The community of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, inhabiting the aquatic environment or fish gut, which influences nutrition and disease resistance.

Aquafeeds: Formulated feed blends designed to meet the nutritional needs of cultured fish while minimising waste and environmental impact.

References

1. Bacterial community in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) recirculating aquaculture systems under different stocking densities. Frontiers in Marine Science (2023).
2. Acceptance of farmed African catfish in Egypt: addressing consumer concerns and marketing challenges. Aquaculture International (2024).
3. Towards Sustainability in Seed Supply for African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Culture in Kenya: Lessons from Asian Catfishes Industry. Aquaculture Research (2024).