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Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Abundant
Habitat: Wetland
Activity: Nocturnal (Active at night)
Lifespan: 14 years

A bottom-dwelling scavenger that feeds on almost any kind of plant or animal matter. It has a blue-grey back, silver sides with dark spots, a white belly, a wide, flat head, and long barbels. The Channel Catfish is North America’s most numerous and most targeted kind of catfish. The average weight of a Channel Catfish is 2 to 4 lbs., with the maximum recorded weight being 58 lbs.

Diet

The diet of adults consists of snails, algae, snakes, frogs, insects, aquatic plants, and even birds occasionally. Younger channel catfish are omnivorous, eating a large variety of plants and animals

Activity Pattern

Nocturnal (Active at night)
Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Chordata
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Class: Actinopterygii
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Order: Siluriformes
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Family: Ictaluridae
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Genus: Ictalurus
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Species: Ictalurus punctatus

Scientific Name

Ictalurus punctatus
Breeding Season
May-July
Lifespan
14 years

Behavior

Channel Catfish are solitary except during mating courtship and protection of young. They are active during the night, moving around and finding food after dusk. During the day they will be most likely found in deep water with little activity.

Activity Pattern

Nocturnal (Active at night)

Habitat Types

Wetland

Geographic Distribution

Channel catfish are widely distributed in southern Canada, the eastern and northern United States, and parts of northern Mexico. They have an extensive native range consisting of almost all of the United States west of the Appalachian Mountains and east of the Rocky Mountains, roughly following the Mississippi River Basin. They are also native to peninsular Florida. They are considered invasive in many other countries where they have been introduced.

Local Abundance

Abundant

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
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No field notes or observations available for this species.

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