Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
An aquarium seems a simple enough thing if you've never owned one. You buy a glass tank, fill it with water and gravel, plug in the air pump, and stock it with fish. In real life, of course, it's much more complex. Each aquarium is a tiny, self-contained ecosystem, and each fish and plant has needs that must be balanced. One common factor in most tanks is algae, which must be cleaned out regularly. Some fish species, including several catfish, will help reduce algae populations.
Once you catch a fish and reel it in, proper landing and unhooking must be done before you gloat over your victorious catch. Getting stung or finned by a fish can be painful, and it may even cause you to drop the fish back into the water. This occurs when the sharp fin spines puncture the skin, which can cause swelling. If you sustain puncture wounds, clean the wounds immediately with antiseptic treatment and cover with a bandage.
A fishermen who accidentally catches a catfish might believe the fish is capable of stinging him. This is a widely held, untrue notion derived from the fact a catfish has barbels -- or whiskers -- near its mouth. Catfish do not have teeth, but anglers must be aware of the spines on the fish's fins. These can pierce the skin and lead to a bacterial infection if left untreated.
Some people hook a catfish, bring it to the boat or shore, and wonder what to do next. These people believe that catfish barbels will sting them, or injure them somehow. The truth is that catfish barbels are not dangerous. Catfish do not have teeth, so anglers do not have to be concerned about being bitten. Catfish do, however, have spines on their fins that can be painful. Anglers must be cognizant of these spines when taking a hook out of a catfish.
Catfish aren't always cleaned in the same manner as other fish, for the simple reason that they lack scales. Instead, they have a smooth skin that can be intimidating to someone who hasn't cleaned a catfish before. Though you may still fillet a large catfish without difficulty, a small catfish may take a different approach. As with any catfish, the spines, or fins, of a small catfish are capable of giving you a sharp and painful poke. Hence, be sure your hands are protected whenever you clean one, even if it looks small and harmless.
Catfish comprise one-fourth of the known freshwater fish species on the planet, though they also live in the ocean. Taxonomists estimate there are as many as 4,500 different catfish species, which all fall under the order Siluriformes. The fish range in size from just a few inches long to the enormous Mekong and wels catfish that grow to longer than 10 feet and weigh up to several hundred pounds. Learn the combination of characteristics that identify catfish so you recognize one when you see it.
Growing to the size of myths and legends, catfish are known to live for over 20 years and reach weights of over 100 lbs. Named for the tactile organs resembling cat whiskers that protrude from the sides their face, more than 40 species of catfish range across North America. As catfish age their fins grow in proportion to the rest of their bodies, with the majority of growth occurring during periods when the fish feed most actively. These growth spurts are used to determine the age of a catfish.
Deliberately or not, a fisherman will sometimes find a catfish on the end of their line. The dorsal and pectoral fins of a catfish have a spine at the front of them, and if these puncture the skin, a venom is released. It is not dangerous unless the wound becomes infected, but it will be painful. The smaller the catfish, the more likely it is to cause injury as the spines on the fins are still sharp. Larger fish are not as dangerous because the ends of the venomous spines become rounded over time and are unlikely to puncture the…
Catfish lack scales and require the removal of the skin when cleaning or filleting them. The channel catfish have scaleless bodies, long whiskers, broad, flat heads and pectoral and dorsal spines. Their fins can be sharp and heavy, which require protection when cutting or handling them. The catfish have two pectoral fins and one dorsal fin. Handle the fish with caution, as the fins have hooked spines that can puncture skin.
Channel catfish have spines on their pectoral and dorsal fins that can poke fishermen and cause injury. When they handle the fish to remove the hook and put them on a stringer, anglers must take care to avoid these spines. Some fishermen wear rubber gloves, which protect them from getting "spined," but holding the fish properly allows them to put it on a stringer without getting hurt.
Many anglers mistakenly believe that the barbels that catfish have on their faces can sting them. Those sensory organs pose no danger, but a catfish's pectoral and dorsal fins have spines that can cause injury. Fishermen must take care to avoid these spines when handling catfish. Although some anglers wear rubber gloves when handling a catfish, you can avoid getting poked by one of the spines by holding the fish in a specific way.
Catfish, which are sometimes called "bullheads," are very common in most North American freshwater lakes, ponds, streams and canals. Catfish are easily recognized by the barbels, or feelers, that look like cat whiskers on their faces. These barbels are harmless, contrary to what many people believe. They are used only to help the fish locate food, and contain no spines or venom. Catfish are brown or gray topside with white or yellowish undersides, and can grow to about 2 feet long. Since catfish seldom come near the surface and their coloration is muddy, they're difficult to see in the water.…
After a day of fishing for catfish, there is nothing more rewarding than a fish fry. In order to prepare for the big meal, you need to clean and skin your catch. By following these helpful guidelines, you will learn how to properly de-bone and fillet the fish.
