Kingdom : Animalia Class : Osteichthyes Scientific Name : Siluriformes Size(L) : 1cm - 270cm (0.4in - 106in) Life Span : 8 - 20 years Colour : Brown, Black, Tan, White, Yellow, Grey Skin Type : Scales Distinctive Features : Flat, broad head and whiskers
- Catfish are a group fish found all around the world except Antarctica.
- They are found inhabiting the fresh waters, mostly the faster flowing rivers, or shallow salt water or live in underground caves.
- Distinctively, they have long, whisker-like barbels protruding from their mouth and a broad flattened head.
- The barbels contain their taste-buds and are also commonly used for smelling and sensing their surroundings.
- There are around 3000 known species of catfish around the world.
- Depending on the species, they vary in size from a few centimeters to more than 2m in length.
- The average length of a catfish is around a meter long.
- The Mekong catfish are the largest species of catfish with the largest individual measuring around 3m long.
- They are carnivores feeding on fish, insects, worms, frogs, newts, small reptiles and mammals.
- They have their predators in large fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds of prey.
- The female catfish lay around 10-90 eggs per clutch which hatch within a week.
- The eggs are laid near the surface of water to keep them safe from aquatic animals that are bottom dwelling.