A massive flat-headed catfish that can exceed 100 pounds. Native to Mississippi drainage but introduced to Atlantic-coast rivers, where they're devastating native fish populations.

Also called: Yellow Cat, Mud Cat, Shovelhead Cat, Appaloosa Cat

Native status: Native to Mississippi drainage; invasive in many other systems

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 60–130 cm typical; record 155 cm
Weight5–25 kg typical; record 56 kg (123 lb)
LifespanWild 20–30 years; oldest documented 28
OrderSiluriformes
FamilyIctaluridae

§ Encyclopedia

The flathead catfish, also called by several common names including mudcat or shovelhead cat, is a large species of North American freshwater catfish in the family Ictaluridae. It is the only species of the genus Pylodictis. Ranging from the lower Great Lakes region to northern Mexico, it has been widely introduced and is an invasive species in some areas. The closest living relative of the flathead catfish is the much smaller widemouth blindcat, Satan eurystomus, a cavefish.

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

§ Identification

Field marks. Massive catfish with flat broad head, protruding lower jaw, deeply notched (not deeply forked) tail; olive-yellow back, pale yellow belly; mottled flanks.

Similar species. Blue Catfish (different body shape; deeply forked tail). Channel Catfish (much smaller; deeply forked tail).

Voice. Silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Live fish almost exclusively (cannot be caught on cut bait like other catfish — only live prey); eats sunfish, suckers, other catfish, occasional crayfish and small mammals.

Behavior. Apex predator of large rivers across the central and southern US. Native to Mississippi-Missouri-Ohio drainages; introduced to many other systems (sometimes deliberately for sport, sometimes via bait-bucket release) where it has caused major declines in native fish populations. The Cape Fear River (NC) introduction is particularly devastating to native redhorse and sucker species. Distinctive flat head and protruding lower jaw make ID unmistakable.

§ Range

Native to central US; invasive in eastern coastal rivers

§ Habitat

Large rivers and reservoirs, often around log jams

§ Threats

In native range: damming, habitat loss. In introduced range: they themselves are the threat to native fishes.

§ Conservation status

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

§ What helps

In native range: support healthy rivers. In invaded rivers: remove and harvest flatheads (do not release).

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • American Fisheries Society
  • NC Wildlife Resources Commission
  • USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species
  • IUCN Red List 2013