Bony fish · Siluriformes · Ictaluridae

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The channel catfish or American catfish is a species of fish of the family Ictaluridae, order Siluriformes. It has spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins; the inner edge of the pectoral spines bears 10 to 11 teeth along the serration. The tip of the maxillary barbels reaches about halfway along the pectoral fins. The maximum body depth is five times the standard length. Its anal fin has 26 to 32 rays. It has a forked caudal fin and large spots of melanophores on the body, giving it a mottled appearance.

Weight

13.7 kg on average

Size

up to 1.3 m

Lifespan

40 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

FreshwaterOmnivore Nocturnal Solitary Fish Freshwater

3countries 30parks 4dive sites

Fun facts

It is covered in the sense of taste. Its taste buds are not only in the mouth: they line the barbels, the lips, the fins and practically all of the skin, with tens of thousands spread over the body. It is, literally, a swimming tongue.
That lets it locate food in murky water and at night without seeing it, following a chemical trail just as a dog follows a scent.
It is the mainstay species of freshwater aquaculture in the United States, with an industry worth billions of dollars in the southern states.
Its pectoral and dorsal spines are sharp and carry a mild toxin that causes pain and swelling when it is handled carelessly.
It has been introduced into Europe, Spain included, and in several river basins it behaves as an invasive species.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (bony fish)
Habitat & environment: Soft-bottomed rivers, reservoirs and lakes of North America; it prefers water with some current and shelters by day under logs and in crevices

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ictalurus_punctatus