Catfish
From Freepedia
- For "Atlantic catfish", see seawolf.
Catfish (order Siluriformes) are a diverse group of fish. Notable for their prominent barbels, they are found in freshwater environments of all kinds, with species on every continent except Antarctica. Some species from the families Ariidae and Plotosidae are also found in marine environs.
Catfish belong to a superorder called the Ostariophysi, which also includes the Cypriniformes, Characiformes, and Gymnotiformes (although some place Gymnotiformes as a sub-order of Siluriformes). As of 2005 there are 37 catfish families, although this number is in constant flux due to taxonomic work on the order.
In June, 2005, researchers named the 37th family of catfish, Lacantuniidae, only the third new family of fish distinguished in the last 70 years (others being the coelacanth in 1938 and the megamouth shark in 1983). The new species in Lacantuniidae, Lacantunia enigmatica, was found in the Lacantun river in Chiapas, Mexico.
Catfish have no scales. All catfish, except members of Malapteruridae (electric catfish), possess a strong, hollow, bonified leading ray on their dorsal and pectoral fins, through which a stinging protein can be delivered if the fish is irritated. In members of the family Plotosidae, and of the genus Heteropneustes, this protein is so strong it may hospitalize humans unfortunate enough to receive a sting.
Catfish range in size and behavior from the largest, the Giant Mekong Catfish (Pangasius gigas) in Southeast Asia, to detritivores (species that eat dead material on the bottom), and even to a tiny parasitic species commonly called the candiru (Vandellia cirrhosa).
The largest wels catfish (Silurus glanis) was caught by Kevin Maddocks on August 6th, 1999, recorded at 202 pounds (91.62 kilograms). Tim Pruitt of Illinois caught the largest blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) in the Mississippi River on May 22nd, 2005 that weighed in at 124 pounds (56.25 kilograms). The largest flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) ever caught was in Independence, Kansas, weighed at 123 pounds 9 ounces (56 kilograms). However, these records pale in comparision to a Giant Mekong Catfish caught in northern Thailand in May 1st, 2005 and reported to the press almost 2 months later, that weighed 646 pounds (293 kilograms). This is the largest Giant Mekong Catfish caught, but only since Thai officials started keeping records in 1981 [1]. The Giant Mekong Catfish are not well studied since they live in developing countries. It is very possible that they can grow bigger yet.
Catfish are important food fish throughout the world. Ictalurids are cultivated in North America (especially in the Deep South), while Clariids and Pangasiids are heavily cultured in Africa and Asia. There is also a large and growing ornamental fish trade, with catfish a popular component of many aquaria.
In the United States, June 25 is National Catfish Day.
Examples of catfish species:
Resources
"All Aquarium Catfish". PlanetCatfish.com. "Researchers identify new species". CNN. Retrieved Jun. 16, 2005.
