White catfish
Also known as | What they look like | Where they live | What they eat | Life cycle | Spawning | State record | World record
Common nameWhite catfish
Scientific nameAmeiurus catus
Fish familyIctaluridae
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What they look like
White catfish are the smallest of the large North American catfish species. The White Catfish are scaleless and are usually blue-gray on top, fading to gray on sides with a white to light yellow belly. It has a moderately forked tail with rounded ends and 22-25 rays. The anal fin is shorter and rounder than that of channel or blue catfish, and its upper jaw extends slightly beyond the lower. The white catfish is sometimes mistaken for the channel catfish, but the white catfish has a much wider head and lacks black spots on its sides. There are 11-15 fairly large saw like teeth on the rear edge of the pectoral fin spine, and 18-21 rakers on the 1st gill arch. The White catfish has white or yellow chin barbells. They have 8 obvious barbels (4 pairs; 2 pair on the chin, 1 pair on the side of its upper jaw (near corner of mouth), 1 pair on top of the snout).
Back to TopWhere they live
The White Catfish is usually found in sluggish, mud-bottomed pools, open channels, slow-moving streams, and backwaters of small to large rivers, reservoirs and ponds. They prefer slower-moving water than channel of blue catfish, and will tolerate a siltier bottom and higher salinity from tidal water.
Back to TopWhat they eat
White catfish are omnivores, but mostly eat fish such as shad and sunfish. They also eat larval, aquatic insects, small crustaceans, fish eggs and aquatic plants. White catfish may feed at night, but are not as nocturnal as other catfish. Catfish have numerous external taste buds, many of which are located on the barbels. They can taste something by simply touching it with their barbels.
Back to TopLife cycle
White catfish grow more slowly than other catfish species. They rarely exceed 6 pounds and 24 inches long. The average length may range from 12" to 14" and weigh 0.5 to 1.0 pound. White catfish have been known to live as long as 14 years.
Back to TopSpawning
White catfish spawn in late spring or early summer when water temperatures reach 68-72°F in still or flowing waters usually on a sand or gravel bar. They excavate a large, saucer-shaped nest that both parent fish shape by fanning the bottom with their tail. Several thousand eggs are deposited in the nest and are guarded by one or both parents until they hatch, which usually occurs within 6 to 7 days. Males may remain close to the fry until they stop schooling and disperse.
Back to TopState Record
19 lbs. 13.6 oz caught in the Walla Walla River by angler Donald W. Huffman on April 17, 2002
World Record
22 lbs. 0 oz. caught in William Land Park Pond, California by angler James Robinson on March 21, 1994
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