Page 185 - Atlas Of The World's Strangest Animals

WELS CATFISH 185

Barbels Fins
These curious-looking A massive, elongated anal fin
‘whiskers’ are highly receptive stretches almost to the fishes’
sensory organs, known as tail. In comparison, the dorsal
barbels,which help the catfish fin (shown) is miniscule.
to hunt down prey.

Key Facts ORDER Siluriformes / FAMILY Siluridae
GENUS & SPECIES Silurus glanis

Weight Up to 150kg (330.7Ib)

Length Up to 3m (9.8ft)
Sexual maturity 5–6 years, depending on conditions
Spawning season May–July, depending on conditions

Number of eggs 30,000 per kilo of the fish’s weight
Incubation period 3–10 days, depending on conditions
Breeding interval Yearly
Typical diet Invertebrates and fish

Lifespan Up to 40 years in the wild

Fry
During the first few weeks of their lives, the tiny, immature wels
catfish look more like tadpoles than fish.

(c) 2011 Marshall Cavendish. All Rights Reserved.