America's most abundant catfish and a major aquaculture species. Long bluish-gray body, deep forked tail, and "whiskers" packed with taste-bud-like sensors.

Also called: Channel Cat

Native status: Native to central US; stocked widely

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 30–110 cm (12–43 in); record 152 cm
Weight0.5–25 kg (1–55 lb); record 26 kg
LifespanWild 6–14 years; record 40
OrderSiluriformes
FamilyIctaluridae

§ Encyclopedia

The channel catfish ,meaning “fish cat with spots”. known informally as the "channel cat", is a species of catfish native to North America. They are North America's most abundant catfish species, and the official state fish of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Tennessee. The channel catfish is the most fished species of catfish in the United States, with around 8 million anglers angling them per year. The popularity of channel catfish for food has contributed to the rapid expansion of this species' aquaculture in the United States. It has also been widely introduced to Europe, Asia and South America, and many countries consider it an invasive species.

Source: Wikipedia — Channel catfish Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Long blue-gray body; deeply forked tail; 8 whiskers ("barbels") around the mouth.

Similar species. Blue Catfish (larger, deeper body). Flathead Catfish (flatter head, lighter color).

Voice. Silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Omnivorous bottom-feeder: fish, crustaceans, mollusks, plant matter, carrion.

Behavior. Most abundant catfish in the US. Major aquaculture species. Sensitive whiskers ("barbels") packed with taste buds.

§ Range

Native to central US; stocked widely across continent

§ Habitat

Lakes, rivers, ponds — wide tolerance

§ Threats

Habitat loss from channelization, agricultural runoff, dams blocking spawning runs, hybridization with non-native species.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the channel catfish is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support natural river channels. Practice catch-and-release of trophy-size fish. Avoid releasing aquarium catfish into wild.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • American Fisheries Society
  • USFWS
  • IUCN Red List 2013