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Description
Coloration: The body is yellow to dark purple-brown with black or brown mottling above and white to yellow below.
Patterns: The chin barbels are white to yellow, and the fins are mottled.
Fin placement and description: The tail fin is slightly notched and may appear square or rounded, unlike the deeply forked tail of the blue catfish or channel catfish.
Unusual features: The flathead catfish is distinctive in appearance and not easily confused with any other species. It has a squared, rather than forked, tail, with a long body and large flattened head. As with other catfishes, flatheads have heavy, sharp pectoral and dorsal spines, as well as long mouth barbels.
Size: The flathead catfish grows to a length of 155 cm (61 in) and may weigh up to 56 kg (123 lb), making it the second-largest North American catfish. The average length is about 25-46 in (64-117 cm). Record 123 lb 9 oz (56.0 kg).
Native, non native, or invasive: It was introduced to the region in the 1960s, and is now considered an invasive species.
Habitat and Location
Map of locations:
Description of habitat: Flathead catfish prefer deep streams, rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs, where the water is cloudy and currents are slow. Adult flathead catfish are solitary creatures and can usually be found near or under fallen trees, logs and brush piles, while young flathead catfish usually prefer shallower water. Flathead catfish are best kept in water with pH 6-8 and with a water temperature of around 77-82°F / 25-28°C. They usually prefer a big river and a reservoir as its tributaries. they like to live in where the water is cloudy and currents are slow.
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