Exotic Catfish Invades Cuban Waters By Dr. Martin Ar贸stegui Travel and Exploration Director of Sol y Mar Magazine
Two decades ago, the Cuban Government introduced the African Sharptooth Catfish (Claria Gariepinus) to the island of Cuba for aquaculture purposes. This fish was introduced in the hopes of providing a good source of fish protein for human consumption. The Claria are very strong fish that can survive
under very adverse conditions, they can survive in very shallow water and since they gulp air from the surface, the Claria can survive in low oxygen water as well as out of water for long periods of time. Soon after the aquaculture program started, a hurricane brought high winds and floodwaters to the island, resulting in the escape of the Claria to rivers and streams throughout the island.