12 Catfish Facts: Size, Diet, and Habitat

Catfish are some of the most adaptable fish in the world, surviving in a wide range of environments and temperatures. These resilient fish can thrive in waters ranging from just above freezing to nearly 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Below, learn more fascinating catfish facts, including which species can thrive in home aquariums.

Interesting Catfish Facts

• Catfish have about 100,000 taste buds, many of which are located across their bodies to help detect chemicals and touch in the water.
• Some ancient cultures kept catfish in latrine ponds to help break down waste naturally.
• Asian walking catfish can move across land using their fins and tails to relocate between bodies of water.
• Some catfish species can breathe through their skin, which is why many have smooth, mucus-covered skin instead of scales.
• Catfish rely on thick skin, bony plates, or sharp spines for protection. 
• Catfish have a specialized organ called the Weberian apparatus that helps with underwater communication and improves hearing.
• Some catfish also create sounds underwater by rubbing body parts together.
• Catfish get their name from the whisker-like barbels they use to sense their environment.
• Although North America has nearly 40 catfish species, only a few are commonly used in commercial production.
• Channel catfish, which include more than 45 species, account for all commercial food-fish production in the U.S.
• Catfish are known by many regional nicknames, including mud cats, polliwogs, chuckleheads, shovelheads, scoopers, and flatties.
• Depending on the species, catfish may be nocturnal (active at night) or diurnal (active during the day).

Where Do Catfish Live?

Catfish can be found on every continent except Antarctica.

They can live in freshwater, saltwater, and brackish environments. Some species live in stagnant water, while others thrive in fast-moving rivers and streams.

What Do Catfish Eat?

Catfish have highly varied diets and are not all bottom feeders.

Depending on the species, catfish may feed throughout the water column, from riverbeds to the water’s surface. 

Catfish diets vary significantly by species and may include carnivorous, herbivorous, omnivorous, or limnivorous feeding behaviors. Limnivores feed on microorganisms found in mud and sediment.

Some catfish species also eat wood or algae, while others are parasitic and feed on the blood of other animals.

A catfish’s diet also changes as it matures. Young catfish typically eat larvae and insects, while adults may consume insects, snails, fish, and fish eggs.

Aquarium catfish often feed on algae and decaying organic material, but they still require supplemental feeding to maintain proper nutrition.

Like other pet fish species, aquarium catfish should be fed a balanced diet appropriate for their species and size.

How Big Do Catfish Grow?

Catfish vary dramatically in size, ranging from tiny aquarium species to massive fish weighing nearly 700 pounds.

The three largest species are the Mekong giant catfish, Wels catfish, and Piraiba catfish. 

One of the largest catfish ever recorded weighed nearly 700 pounds, while the smallest species measures only about 1 centimeter long.

Can I Add a Catfish to My Aquarium?

Many catfish species are popular aquarium fish because they can help clean debris and coexist peacefully with other tankmates.

Aquarium hobbyists keep a wide range of catfish species, from small fish such as corydoras to larger species like plecos and Columbian sharks (also called Jordan’s catfish).

Some catfish species are better suited for community aquariums, while others require larger tanks and more specialized care.

Many pet catfish species do well in groups or small schools and can coexist with a variety of freshwater fish, including some semi-aggressive species such as betta fish.

The best catfish for your aquarium will depend on your tank size, water conditions, and compatibility with other fish species.