26 SEPTEMBER • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG can have a direct effect on ecosystems, and some species that were introduced for the purpose have become invasive. This article focuses on one of the most intriguing of the country’s chosen aquatic products: catfishes, with discussions on its history, significance and role in the Philippine context. The paper also attempts to describe current farming practices and trends, as well as potential threats with regards to cultivation. Catfishes Catfishes (Order Siluriformes) are a diverse group of ray-finned fishes often characterized by whisker-like barbels near their mouths, which help them detect their surroundings. Barbels, together with cranial and swim-bladder morphology, distinguish members of the Siluriformes. Catfishes are found in a variety of environments throughout the globe except in Antarctica. They are found in freshwater and brackish water environments, though most inhabit shallow, running waters. Locally known as “hito,” catfishes are important species in the Philippines, contributing significantly to the country’s aquaculture industry, local cuisine, and economy. As hardy and fast-growing fish, catfishes play a vital role in food security, employment, and environmental sustainability. During the early 2000’s the country was the fourth largest catfish producer in Asia and catfish was second only to tilapia as freshwater fish produced in local fishponds (TanFermin 2003). Demand for catfish increased throughout the years, with market prices (Table 1) even higher than tilapia, and its culture has become more attractive than rice farming for many smallholders (ABS-CBN News 2022; Bontoc, personal communication, 2025). Catfish farming became successful in the Philippines due to the fish’s resilient nature, survival capabilities and ease of spawning, making these fish especially attractive for aquaculture. Specifically, catfishes are exploited due to their relatively fast growth, voracity, omnivorous diet and low requirements in terms of water quality (Cacot and Hung 2011). Typically, catfish can eat various foods including small mollusks, crabs, and even fruit and vegetable scraps (Weerd 1995; Cacot and Hung 2011). Tropical catfishes frequently inhabit varying hydrological environments in their natural habitats, and many may be raised in unfavorable water conditions, such as stagnant water and at high density (Weerd 1995; Tan-Fermin 2003; Cacot and Hung 2011). In the Philippines, there are reports of six species of catfish from the Clarias genus, with three of these being widely recognized and farmed in the country (Santos et al. 2015; Santos-Recto et al. 2022). Specifically, these include the native Hito or “hitong tagalog” (Clarias macrocephalus), the Thai catfish (Clarias batrachus) and the African catfish, (Clarias gariepinus) (Santos et al. 2015; Santos-Recto et. al. 2022). The others however, namely Clarias nieuhofii, C. meladerma, and C. fuscus, have no recorded reports in recent years (Santos et al. 2015). Also known as broadhead catfish, C. macrocephalus can be distinguished among closely-related Clarias species by having a large dorsal fin and rounded occipital process (the center of the head portion when the fish is viewed dorsally), which is pointed on both C. batrachus and C. gariepinus (Tan-Fermin et al. 2008; Froese and Pauly 2024). Additionally, it can also be identified from the group by having white spots on its black-colored body (Tan-Fermin et al. 2008). While C. macrocephalus is believed to be indigenous in the Philippines the other two are introduced species. C. gariepinus (Figure 1) originated from Africa while C. batrachus came from Thailand. Historically, C. macrocephalus was commonly found in rice fields and natural habitats across the Philippines in the 1970’s (Tan-Fermin et al. 2008). Introduction of a related species from Thailand, C. batrachus, which grew more quickly, briefly boosted catfish farming. However, its cultivation faced challenges due to the lack of affordable spawning agents, limited fingerling supply, and the lack of cost-effective feed (TanFermin et al. 2008; Santos et al. 2015; Santos-Recto et al. 2022). As a result, the African catfish was introduced to the Philippines in the late 1980’s, as it is significantly larger than both the native and Thai catfish with nearly identical appearance (Caguan 2007; Tan-Fermin et al. 2008). The introduction of these non-native species into the country was believed to have contributed to the diminishing population of the native catfish. Habitat loss, prolonged poor water quality in native habitats, and increasing pollution are also pointed out to be some of the factors that contributed to dwindling native catfish populations (Santos-Recto et al. 2022). To date, the native catfish C. macrocephalus can scarcely be found, only in some remote areas of FIGURE 2. One of the catfish ponds in Compound Bondoc Farm in Camachilihan, Bulacan, containing approximately 45,000 catfish. Photo credit: A. Olarte. Catfishes (Order Siluriformes) are a diverse group of ray-finned fishes often characterized by whisker-like barbels near their mouths, which help them detect their surroundings. Barbels, together with cranial and swim-bladder morphology, distinguish members of the Siluriformes. Catfishes are found in a variety of environments throughout the globe except in Antarctica.
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