Catfish is a type of fish that belongs to the group of ray-finned fish. There are more than 3000 species of catfish that can be found on all continents except on the Antarctica. Catfish inhabits freshwater ecosystems such as rivers and streams. Some species of catfish are adapted to the life in salt waters and caves. Catfish are one of the most farmed types of fish (their meat is consumed as delicacy around the world). Some types of catfish (such as Mekong catfish) are critically endangered due to overfishing and pollution of the water. Catfish are a group of bottom-feeding fish that are found in freshwater habitats and coastal regions on and around every continent in the world with the exception of Antarctica. Catfish are most easily identified by their flattened broad heads and the long whisker-like barbels that protrude from the mouth of the catfish.
| Name | Catfish |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Siluriformes |
| Name in Other Languages | Greek: λυκόψαρο Chinese: Niányú (鲶鱼) Arabic: Smk ạlslwr (سمك السلور) Spanish: Barbo, bagre Dutch: Meerval Portuguese: Peixe-gato, lampreia Turkish: Yayın balığı Italian: Pesce gatto, French: Poisson-chat, poisson chat, German: Katzenfisch, schuppenloser Süßwasserfisch Japanese: Namazu (ナマズ), Kuchimoto ni hi-ge no aru tansuigyo (口もとにひげのある淡水魚) Hebrew: שפמנון, סוג דג Korean: Megi (메기) Swedish: Havskatt |
| Developing Environment | Found in freshwater environments, though most inhabit shallow, running water. |
| Fish Shape & Size | About 1.2–1.6 m (3.9–5.2 ft.), and fish more than 2 meters (6.6 ft) are rare. Most have a cylindrical body with a flattened ventrum |
| Fish Color | Silver, grey, white, tan, green or yellow colored, depending on the species. |
| Taste | Sweet, mild |
| Varieties/Types |
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| Major Nutrition | Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamine) 3.98 µg (165.83%) Lysine 2.398 g (71.71%) Tryptophan 0.315 g (71.59%) Isoleucine 1.173 g (70.16%) Threonine 1.191 g (67.67%) Valine 1.278 g (60.51%) Leucine 1.996 g (54.00%) Protein 26.37 g (52.74%) Phosphorus, P 353 mg (50.43%) Histidine 0.578 g (46.92%) Total Fat (lipid) 10.28 g (29.37%) Selenium, Se 14.2 µg (25.82%) Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) 1.16 mg (23.20%) Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 3.644 mg (22.78%) Choline 112.5 mg (20.45%) Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.253 mg (19.46%) Sodium, Na 170 mg (11.33%) Potassium, K 523 mg (11.13%) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.143 mg (11.00%) |
| Health Benefits |
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| Calories in 1 fillet (143 g) | 206 K cal |