Can tolerate higher water temperatures and carbon dioxide levels, and lower oxygen concentrations than many other fish species. Resistant to domestic and industrial pollution. In areas of heavy pollution can be the only fish species present. Like many other catfish, feeds near the bottom of ponds and lakes rich in submerged plants and moss. Nocturnal consumer of molluscs, insects, leeches, crayfish and plankton, worms, algae, plant material, and fishes.
Juveniles feed mostly on chironomid larvae, cladocerans, ostracods, amphipods, bugs, and mayflies.
May. Males fan out a saucer-shaped nest in the mud or nest in natural cavities where the female deposits eggs, ranging from 2,000 to 10,000, or more. The eggs are guarded by both parents during the 5 to 8 day incubation period. The parents care for the eggs by fanning them with their fins and physically stirring them up. Upon hatching, the young are jet black and resemble tadpoles.