Where are Wels Catfish found in the wild?

Wels Catfish call the rivers, lakes, and canals of Europe and Asia their home. These amazing fish thrive in freshwaters, often preferring slow-moving or still waters with plenty of hiding spots like plants and rocks, where they can lurk and prepare for their next meal!

"silurus glanis (albino)" by Joachim S. Müller is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Wels Catfish

Explore the gentle giants that roam underwater realms!

"silurus glanis (albino)" by Joachim S. Müller is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

The Basics

Scientific Name

Silurus glanis

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Location

Europe, Asia

Average size

3 to 5 feet long

diet

Fish, frogs, small mammals

lifespan

30 to 50 years

Let’s Explore

Overview

The Wels Catfish is a super cool fish that swims in the waters of Europe and Asia. This fish can grow quite large, measuring between 0.9 to 1.5 meters (about 3 to 5 feet) long, making it one of the largest freshwater fish around!
Wels Catfish have a unique look with long, slender bodies and big, whisker-like barbels on their upper jaw. These barbels help them sense their surroundings, almost like having extra hands in the water!
This fish enjoys a varied diet that includes other fish, frogs, and even small mammals. Talk about a fish that knows how to munch on a buffet!
</p<Wels Catfish can live a long time, reaching ages of 30 to 50 years. That's longer than some of your favorite movies!
These catfish are nocturnal, swimming around primarily at night. They use their keen sense of smell to hunt in the dark, making them true night owls of the aquatic world!
So next time you think of catfish, remember the Wels Catfish. It's not just a fish; it's a fascinating creature that showcases the wonders of life beneath the surface!

Where can you find a Wels Catfish in the wild?

What does a Wels Catfish eat?

How big can a Wels Catfish grow?

How long does a Wels Catfish typically live?

What is the conservation status of the Wels Catfish?

What are the main threats to the Wels Catfish?

wowzerful facts

Wels Catfish can weigh up to 300 kilograms (around 660 pounds) or more, making them the heavyweight champions of freshwater fish!

These catfish possess skin that can secrete a special slime which helps protect them from predators and infections, like a superhero's armor!

Wels Catfish have eyes that are quite limited in vision, but they make up for it with super smell! They can detect food from several meters away in dark waters, like underwater ninjas!

During spawning season, the males protect the eggs by guarding them fiercely in nests made from stones and plants. They become devoted dads, just like a superhero who would do anything for their kids!

Wels Catfish have an interesting way of communicating. They use low-frequency sounds to talk to each other underwater, similar to a secret fish language!

These catfish can breathe air! They have a special adaptation that allows them to gulp air at the surface when oxygen levels are low in the water. They're like the fish version of astronauts taking a breath before floating back to their watery world!

Wels Catfish hatch from eggs that resemble tiny jelly beans, and they grow rapidly, turning into giant fish within just a few years!

Although Wels Catfish are impressive predators, they also enjoy nibbling on vegetation. These fish can be quite the mix-and-match eaters!

Most active at night, Wels Catfish hunt under the soft glow of stars. They sneak through shadows like nighttime detectives on the lookout for tasty meals!

Some Wels Catfish can live in waters with low oxygen, showing just how tough and adaptable they can be, like a fish superhero thriving in any environment!