Stats

Lifespan: 10-20 yrs
Size: Medium
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Nocturnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Freshwater wetland
Range: North America
Movement: Swimming
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Spines
Status: Uncommon

About

The channel catfish is North America's most common wild-caught food fish, recognised by its deeply forked tail and scattered dark spots. It can detect food using up to 180,000 taste buds distributed across its entire body surface, effectively making it a swimming tongue.

Life cycle

1.
hatchling fry
A tiny fry hatches with a yolk sac and begins free-swimming once the sac is absorbed.
2.
juvenile
A juvenile takes on adult body shape and feeds on small prey, often in nursery waters.
3.
adult
Fully grown at adult size and coloration.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Ictaluridae
Genus: Ictalurus
Species: Ictalurus punctatus