Question 1

What is the size of a wels catfish?

Accepted Answer

The wels catfish is a scaleless freshwater fish that can reach up to 2.7 meters in length and weigh up to 130 kg on average. In French waters, the record size is 2.74 meters. It has six sensory barbels and a very short dorsal fin.

Question 2

Where can wels catfish be found?

Accepted Answer

Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) can be found in various freshwater habitats across Europe, including rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. They are native to Eastern Europe, particularly in countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece. Additionally, wels catfish have been introduced to Western Europe, including France, in the 1930s and 1940s for sport fishing purposes. They have since spread widely and can be found in rivers and lakes throughout Western Europe. They have even adapted to colder temperatures in Alpine lakes. Overall, wels catfish are widely distributed and can be encountered in both river and lake environments.

Question 3

What are the prey of wels catfish?

Accepted Answer

Wels catfish prey on fish, insects, mollusks, crayfish, amphibians, turtles, birds, mammals, and even smaller catfish.

Question 4

What is the behavior of wels catfish?

Accepted Answer

Wels catfish are solitary omnivores that avoid light and have an average lifespan of twenty years. They primarily feed on fish, crustaceans, and mollusks but can also adapt to their environment and expand their diet by hunting small rodents or young water birds. While they are primarily nocturnal, their activities are temperature-dependent, becoming more active when the water temperature exceeds 15°C.

Their hunting is mainly done in murky waters, where they are sensitive to sounds, electromagnetic fields, and pressure changes from their prey but can also detect chemical signals. Once close enough to their prey, their wide mouth opens rapidly, creating a suction that allows them to swallow the prey whole.

Question 5

What are the primary diets of wels catfish?

Accepted Answer

The primary diets of wels catfish consist mainly of fish but also include insects, mollusks, crayfish, amphibians, turtles, birds, mammals, plants, and even mineral matter. They are considered opportunistic feeders and can target substantial prey such as large carp and larger fish like salmon or shad. Wels catfish are also scavengers and are attracted to strongly scented foods, such as lamb ribs, chicken bones, and wild boar skins. They are also capable of cannibalism and feeding on smaller congeners. Unfortunately, they are sometimes attracted to plastic items, which can lead to death by asphyxiation.

Question 6

What are the risks for the future of wels catfish?

Accepted Answer

Wels catfish are an invasive fish species that pose a threat to migratory fish populations, especially species already in decline and threatened due to overfishing, water pollution, and climate change. They adapt easily and reproduce rapidly, which can lead to the collapse of migratory fish populations. European catfish species have been recognized by scientists as a threat to these species.

Additionally, wels catfish can survive and spread more easily than other fish in warmer waters due to climate change. This means they could expand into previously inaccessible areas and pose a greater threat to native populations and migratory fish.

Finally, they are not classified as a harmful species, although anglers fear their impact on other species. Moreover, wels catfish can accumulate mercury and other pollutants that make them unfit for consumption. This means the future of wels catfish will largely depend on humans' ability to manage their populations and protect other species.

Question 7

What is the lifespan of wels catfish?

Accepted Answer

Wels catfish can live up to 80 years in favorable environments, but their average lifespan is around 20 to 30 years.

Question 8

What are the benefits of fishing for wels catfish?

Accepted Answer

Fishing for wels catfish offers numerous benefits, which have made it increasingly popular. Firstly, it can be practiced using different techniques such as lure fishing, float fishing with bait, or even using a float tube or kayak. It can also be pursued year-round, even during colder periods of the year.

Question 9

What are the products derived from wels catfish?

Accepted Answer

The products derived from wels catfish fishing primarily include fillets, but they can also be transformed into steaks, tartare, or smoked fish. Wels catfish are also used to produce oils and protein-rich flours that contain B-group vitamins and minerals. Additionally, wels catfish are used in the production of pharmaceutical products such as nutritional supplements based on their nutrient compounds.

Question 10

Is wels catfish good to eat?

Accepted Answer

Wels catfish is edible, but its strong flavor and firm texture can be divisive among consumers. Some anglers enjoy its distinctive taste, while others find it less pleasant. Additionally, wels catfish is highly nutritious, being rich in proteins and lipids, and providing a variety of essential B-group vitamins and minerals. Lastly, wels catfish is available in fillet form, making it easy to cook without seeing its head. It is important to note that due to its size and predatory nature, wels catfish can accumulate heavy metals and other pollutants, so it is crucial not to consume them in excess and to cook them thoroughly to avoid any contamination. It is recommended to remove the fatty parts of the fish, where pollutants are most likely to accumulate.

Question 11

Why don't we eat wels catfish?

Accepted Answer

Wels catfish can be consumed, but it is best to avoid consuming those caught in natural environments as they accumulate pollutants and heavy metals from their prey throughout their lives. It is preferable to purchase wels catfish fillets from aquaculture sources if you wish to consume them.

Question 12

Is wels catfish dangerous to humans?

Accepted Answer

Attacks by wels catfish on humans are extremely rare and only occur in very specific circumstances when the fish feels threatened or provoked. It is important to note that wels catfish are not natural predators of humans, and most wels catfish are harmless. Despite their impressive size and reputation as formidable meat-eaters, these fish do not have teeth strong or sharp enough to seriously harm anyone. In fact, their diet mainly consists of fish, crustaceans, frogs, and other small aquatic animals. Therefore, wels catfish can be safely fished using appropriate techniques and taking necessary precautions to avoid any incidents.

Question 13

Can a wels catfish eat a dog?

Accepted Answer

It is highly unlikely for a wels catfish to eat a dog since wels catfish primarily feed on fish and crustaceans. However, if a small or medium-sized dog were to cross paths with a wels catfish while swimming and the catfish was in a hunting mode, it is possible that it could be devoured. Therefore, it is important to supervise young children and pets when they are near the water to prevent any accidents.

Siluridae

Predatory fish : Wels Catfish (Silurus glanis)

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