Wallago Leerii

Datasheet

General Description

Wallago Leerii, commonly known as the Striped Wallago Catfish, is a fearsome predatory catfish species found in Southeast Asia. It belongs to the Siluridae family and can grow up to 200.0cm in size. They have an enormous mouth filled with backward-pointing teeth used for ripping prey apart, often swallowing smaller fish or amphibians whole.

Aquarium Setup

For maintaining Wallago Leerii in captivity, a tank size of at least 10,000 litres is recommended. Decoration in the tank is not crucial as the catfish may destroy it. A bare tank with a gravel substrate is suggested. Due to their predatory nature and large size, a robust filtration system is essential to manage the substantial organic waste produced. Additionally, a secure, heavy cover for the tank is necessary as these catfish can cross land to find new water sources.

Behaviour

Wallago Leerii is a highly predatory species that should not be housed with any other fish due to their tendency to prey on tankmates, even larger ones over time. They have been observed to feed on smaller fish species, freshwater prawns, and may require a meaty diet in captivity. Some specimens may initially only accept live fish as food, but can be trained to consume dead alternatives. As juveniles, they can be fed daily, but as they mature, a reduced feeding frequency of once a week is sufficient.

Feeding and Diet

The diet of Wallago Leerii should consist of smaller fish, freshwater prawns, and similar meaty foods. It is advisable to avoid feeding them mammal meat like beef heart or chicken, as the fats in these meats cannot be metabolized properly by the fish, leading to health issues such as fat deposits and organ degeneration.

Reproduction & Dimorphism

Captive breeding of Wallago Leerii has not been recorded in aquarium settings. However, their close relative, W. attu, has been successfully bred in outdoor ponds in Malaysia. The sexual dimorphism in Wallago Leerii can be identified by examining the genital papilla, which is slimmer in males.

Habitat and Distribution

Wallago Leerii is a migratory species primarily found in riverine habitats but also known to venture into inundated forest areas during the rainy season. They are recorded in various regions across Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, northern Indonesia, and Singapore.