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What is a Wels Catfish?

Alex Paul
Alex Paul

The wels catfish — sometimes known as the sheatfish — is commonly found throughout Europe and in the Baltic Sea. It’s a relatively large type of catfish and is recognizable by its wide mouth and flat head that contains a large amount of teeth. The wels catfish usually inhabits warm and large bodies of water such as lakes although it can also be found in some rivers. Some wels catfish are kept as pets in fish ponds.

Catfish are a group of fish named after the whisker-like barbels that are used to locate food when in cloudy waters. Not all catfish have barbels, however, although the wels catfish has two particularly long ones on the top jaw. There are also four smaller barbels located on the lower jaw.

A wels catfish may feed upon mice.
A wels catfish may feed upon mice.

The color of a wels catfish varies depending on where it lives. For example, if the fish is living in murky water then it is likely to be a brown color. If the fish is living in clear water then it will probably be blacker. The maximum length of the fish is around 10 feet (approximately 3 meters) although this is only achieved in ideal living conditions. Typically, the fish will grow to around 4.5 feet long (1.3 meters).

The diet of the wels catfish mainly includes worms, smaller fish and insects although some of the larger examples may also feed on mammals such as rats and mice. Some are even known to eat ducks. There are various reports of wels catfish attacking humans although these are unconfirmed. Due to the large size of some of the bigger sheatfish there is little doubt that they could attack humans successfully although it is not known whether the fish will knowingly attack such large prey.

Although the sheatfish can be eaten, it’s only attractive as food when the fish is young. This is due to the fact that after the fish grows beyond a certain size it becomes too fatty to eat. On a side note, the eggs of the Silurus glanis species are poisonous and hence shouldn’t be eaten under any circumstances.

The sheatfish is kept as both a pet and for food. The fish usually prefer to live in sheltered conditions although they come out to prey on other animals in open water. Its large mouth is often the most noticeable part of the fish when it is looking for food.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Wels Catfish?

The Wels Catfish, scientifically known as Silurus glanis, is one of the largest freshwater fish in Europe and Western Asia. It's a predatory species, recognized by its broad, flat head and wide mouth equipped with rows of small, sandpaper-like teeth. These fish are known for their impressive size, with some individuals reaching lengths of over 2.5 meters and weighing over 300 kilograms.

Where can Wels Catfish be found?

Wels Catfish are native to the basins of the Baltic, Black, and Caspian Seas, encompassing rivers and freshwater bodies across Europe and parts of Western Asia. They have also been introduced to other regions, such as Southern and Western Europe, where they thrive in warm, slow-moving rivers and large, nutrient-rich lakes.

What do Wels Catfish eat?

Wels Catfish are opportunistic predators with a diverse diet. They consume a variety of prey including fish, amphibians, birds, and small mammals. Their diet can also include invertebrates and occasionally plant matter. Their ability to consume large prey is facilitated by their expansive mouths and robust bodies.

How do Wels Catfish reproduce?

Wels Catfish spawn in the spring or early summer when water temperatures reach about 20 degrees Celsius. Males prepare a nest in sheltered areas and guard the eggs after the females lay them. The eggs hatch in about three to ten days, depending on the temperature, and the male continues to protect the young until they are more independent.

Are Wels Catfish dangerous to humans?

While Wels Catfish are formidable predators within their ecosystem, they are not typically dangerous to humans. There are few documented cases of Wels Catfish attacking people. However, due to their size and power, anglers should exercise caution when handling these fish to avoid injury from their strong movements or from the minor venom their fins can secrete.

What is the conservation status of the Wels Catfish?

The Wels Catfish is currently not listed as endangered or vulnerable; it is classified as "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, local populations may be affected by habitat degradation, pollution, and overfishing, emphasizing the need for sustainable management practices to ensure their long-term survival.

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    • A wels catfish may feed upon mice.
      By: Anatolii
      A wels catfish may feed upon mice.