In a departure from the usual format, here’s a fish which is currently arriving in our stores for all the wrong reasons. The Marbled clarias (Clarias batrachus) is a domestic strain of a fish that is also known as the Walking catfish. With an adult size of around 45cm, this tough and rather belligerent food fish is being sold as tiny, adorable youngsters by a number of irresponsible retailers – most of which are unable to house them when customers attempt to return them weeks later, when they’ve eaten their tankmates and outgrown the aquarium. Please, do not buy this fish unless you are prepared to house an 18” long escape artist with an attitude that can make it a challenge to love for a decade or more. In the right hands, Clarias are great pets with lots of personality. If you’re able to help us by taking on one of these rehomes, please get in touch.