Catfish
Catfish are a diverse group of fishes divided into 37 different families, all belonging to the order Siluriformes. Catfish inhabit freshwater environments world-wide and are found on every continent except Antarctica. There are also a handful of species that can be encountered in marine conditions; you will find them in the families Plotosidae and Ariidae. Even though catfish range widely in size and behaviour, there are a few things that all species have in common. Catfish have no scales, they are equipped with barbells, and a hollow leading ray is present on dorsal and pectoral fins (except for the members of the family Malapteruridae). The barbells, which are situated near the mouth, are elongated tactile organs aiding the catfish when hunting for prey in dark and murky waters, just like a cat uses its whiskers to navigate dark environments. Unlike a cat’s whiskers, the barbels of a catfish are fitted with taste buds so a catfish can taste its surroundings without ever opening its mouth. The abovementioned hollow leading ray is used to excrete a protein that will cause a lot of pain if you receive a sting, so be careful when handling these fishes. Catfish belonging to the family Plotosidae and the genus Heteropneustes are especially dangerous and a sting from one of these species should prompt medical attention.
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| Catfish and more... - http://www.catfish-and-more.com/ Information and photos about larger, rare, or seldom kept freshwater aquarium predatory catfish species. |