Catfish

Catfish is a fish with barbels that look like whiskers.

It belongs to the order Siluriformes which has many kinds of members.

Some catfish are small and cute, like the dwarf Corydoras.

And some are big and scary, like the wels or the goonch.

Catfish live in fresh water or salt water, depending on their family.

They like to eat almost anything, from plants to meat to jelly.

These fishes are mostly active at night, hiding in the dark and murky.

They can sting you with their spines, so be careful not to irk them.

Catfish have different ways of caring for their eggs and young.

Some guard their nests, some carry them in their mouths or gills or lungs.

For many people, they are important as food or pets.

Catfish are diverse and fascinating, these fish called catfish.

Catfish are a diverse group of fish that have whisker-like barbels around their mouths.
They live in freshwater and coastal environments of every continent except Antarctica.
Some catfish species are very large, such as the Mekong giant catfish.
Catfish can inhabit various types of habitats, such as rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, swamps, and caves.
Some catfish are adapted to living in salt water, such as the families Ariidae and Plotosidae.
Many catfish are farmed or fished for food, especially in Asia, Africa, and North America.
Some catfish are popular as aquarium pets, such as the genus Corydoras.

• Around their mouths they have tendril-like organs called barbs, which they use to sense their environment and find food.

• They have a dorsal fin and a pair of pectoral fins, which may have sharp spines that can inflict painful wounds.

• These fish have a long anal fin that extends from the belly to the tail, which helps them swim and balance.

• They have a forked or rounded tail, depending on the species.

• Pictus catfish: A small and active catfish that has black spots on its silver body and long barbels that reach the tail.
  It is native to South America and lives in rivers and streams.

• White catfish: A medium-sized catfish that has a bluish-gray body and a white belly.
  This fish is native to North America and lives in lakes, ponds, and rivers.
  It is a popular game fish and can grow up to 20 inches long.

• Channel catfish: A large and robust catfish that has a brown or gray body with dark spots and a forked tail.
  This fish is native to North America and lives in various freshwater habitats.
  It is the most widely farmed catfish in the world and can grow up to 50 inches long.