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Varied species catfish can be found all over the world! Seriously, catfish are divided into 33 families, 400 genres and over 3000 species! By Virginia up to Vienna you will find different types of catfish.
Different species of catfish can be found on every continent, with the exception of Antarctica, making them a sought after catch for anglers and professional fishermen. Whether fishing in seawater, fresh water, or brackish water, you can spot the small-eyed mustachioed fish nearby.
The catfish: aren’t all created equal
Catfish are some of the most incredible fish with the most variety. They are easily identified by the beards (whiskers) on their faces, which helps them feel their surroundings. The most diverse collections of catfish can be found in South America, Asia and Africa, but different species are found everywhere.
Catfish can range from tiny like the Pencil Catfish which reaches about an inch in adulthood to one of the largest, the catfish, which weighs up to 440 pounds when fully mature. They are voracious eaters who will consume a varied diet and grow to incredible sizes.
Catfish are popular among anglers, but care must be taken when hunting and handling catfish. Did you know that about half of the catfish species are poisonous?! Half! Some can even be fatal, while many get away with just stings from bony and sharp spines.
There are some exciting catfish, such as the electric catfish of the Nile River. A big one of these guys can stun a human with as much as 300-400 volts! Guides along the river will adamantly advise wearing shoes in the water.
Catfish have evolved to do all kinds of things, even walk and talk! The striped Raphael catfish or “talking catfish” or the makes audible sounds using their spines, but a walking catfish?
The walking catfish uses its pectoral fins as arms to move on land through wet and dry places. This catfish can also breathe out of the water to aid in their survival during droughts and the like. Although the walking catfish is not native to the US, it has become an invasive species that breeds quickly.
Catfish: an old fish
Catfish have been around for centuries. It is even believed that they were nearby Cretaceous Age, with the dinosaurs.
AN giant catfish fossil was found in 2017 in the Wadi Al-Hitan desert southwest of Cairo, Egypt. The catfish, called Qarmoutus hitanensis, is believed to have lived about 37 million years ago!
Surprisingly, paleontologists said that although the fossil is millions of years old, the catfish has remained essentially the same, anatomically. Qarmoutus hitanensis was measured at about 6.5 feet, compared to the current Mekong and Wels Catfish.
The catfish: known for resistance
Despite the size of the catfish, they are known for being, shall we say, defiant. In 2015, an Italian fisherman named Dino hooked an 8 foot 9 inch Wels Catfish weighing 280 pounds in Italy’s Po River, a popular spot for fishing for huge catches.
Dino spent 40 minutes trying to reel in this giant catfish, but eventually he got the fish ashore, took a few photos and freed the catfish to live out the rest of its days. Pro anglers say that even an 11-pound catfish will make you sweat when you bring them to the surface.
The Catfish: World Record Catch Mekong Catfish
The Mekong catfish reigns as the largest species of the genus to date. This giant catfish lives in the dim waters of the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. In 2005, a man caught a 9-foot Mekong catfish, weighing 646 pounds, setting the world record for the largest catfish in the world.
While this was quite an achievement for the fisherman, the story is a bit sad. Mekong Catfish are critically endangered, threatened by habitat degradation and the construction of dams along the Mekong River.
In this case, the villagers wanted to sell the fish to environmental groups. Unfortunately, the fish died before they could. Instead, the villagers split the fish for food and fed their community for several weeks.
Still, this Mekong catfish is not only the largest catfish, but also the largest fish that lives exclusively in freshwater, and an experience that village will never forget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What was the largest blue catfish ever caught?
The largest recorded blue catfish weighed 143 pounds with a length of 4.75 feet. Richard Nicholas Anderson caught his blue catfish in Kerr Lake of Virginia in 2011 and currently holds the record.
What was the largest flathead catfish ever caught?
Ken Paulie caught the largest Flathead Catfish in 1998, and he still holds the world record, although some question its legitimacy. The Flathead was over 5 feet long and weighed 123 pounds.
What was the largest Lau-Lau (Piraiba) ever caught?
The largest Piraiba, from South America, was 6.5 feet tall and weighed 341 pounds. Jorge Masullo de Aguiar caught this record-breaking catfish in 2009.
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