Catfish spotted in Algerian desert after heavy rains astonish locals

The appearance of large numbers of catfish in the heart of the Algerian desert has sparked widespread astonishment among residents, after a video filmed in Illizi province—located 1,830 kilometers southeast of Algiers—captured the unusual sight of fish floating along the banks of a flowing wadi following heavy rainfall.

The video has gone viral on social media over the past two days, with many Algerians expressing surprise at the gathering of so many fish in a desert region known for its aridity.

A specialist in ichthyology and desert environments explained that "the appearance or floating of catfish in Algeria's desert areas may seem strange at first, but it is actually linked to the unique characteristics of the desert ecosystem and sudden changes that occur in wadis and temporary water bodies."

Speaking to Al Arabiya.net/Al Hadath.net, the expert added that "the African catfish, scientifically known as Clarias gariepinus, is not entirely foreign to Algeria’s environment. It is now found in several southern regions, both in natural habitats and in aquaculture operations."

He noted that the real surprise lies in seeing schools of fish in areas that appear extremely dry, rather than in the mere presence of catfish. He pointed out that floods can carry fish to new areas after heavy rains, as previously seen in the Takhamalt wadi near Djanet.

He added that "the presence of fish schools does not necessarily indicate a permanent lake or an undiscovered underground water network, nor should the phenomenon be seen as automatic evidence of major climate change. Exceptional rainfall in the desert can temporarily transform dry wadis into flowing streams, moving fish from one water body to another."

However, the university professor emphasized that the phenomenon holds scientific significance, as it reveals the remarkable resilience of desert ecosystems and encourages researchers to study the relationship between sudden rainfall, floods, groundwater, and aquatic species living in the south. Recent studies have shown that some desert water bodies in Algeria can rarely fill up after exceptional rain events, before gradually returning to dryness.