Cetopsidae
Candiru-Açu
Cetopsis candiru
FISH SPECIES
Catfish
Catfish are members of the order Siluriformes, a diverse lineage found mainly in freshwater but also represented in marine environments. Their common name covers thousands of species rather than one familiar body shape.
FISH ATLAS / FIELD GUIDECatfishIN THIS CHAPTER01 / Characteristics02 / Lifestyle03 / Species04 / Field notes
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01 / NATURAL HISTORY
Characteristics
Barbels around the mouth are a well-known feature, although their number and form vary. Many catfish also have prominent fin spines, sensory adaptations and skin that is naked or covered with bony plates instead of typical scales.
- 01Armored catfish
- 02Air-breathing catfish
- 03Electric catfish
02 / LIFESTYLE
Lifestyle
Catfish rely heavily on non-visual sensory systems to map murky or benthic environments. Highly sensitive chemosensory barbels and electroreceptors across the head detect chemical plumes and prey vibrations in sediment. While many species rest secluded beneath undercut banks or wood tangles by day, their foraging spans specialized predation, wood-scraping detritivory and active nocturnal hunting.
OBSERVATION INDEX
- Chemosensory barbel tracking
- Shelter beneath wood and banks
- Benthic substrate probing
03 / SPECIES
Representative species
Discover representative species illustrating the ecological diversity, morphologies and adaptations of this group.
Candiru-Açu
Astroblepidae
Canelos climbing catfish
Astroblepus boulengeri
Pimelodidae
Capaz
Pimelodus grosskopfii
Pseudopimelodidae
Caramel Bumblebee Catfish
Pseudopimelodus magnus
Ictaluridae
Carolina madtom
Noturus furiosus
Callichthyidae
Cascarudo
Callichthys callichthys
Loricariidae
Cascudo Pit Bull
Parotocinclus jumbo
Auchenipteridae
Catfish
Ageneiosus militaris
Loricariidae
Catfish
Ancistrus hoplogenys
Auchenipteridae
Catfish
Auchenipterus nigripinnis
Claroteidae
Catfish
Auchenoglanis biscutatus
Aspredinidae
Catfish
Bunocephalus doriae
Ariidae
Catfish
Cephalocassis borneensis
Clariidae
Catfish
Clarias agboyiensis
Clariidae
Catfish
Clarias laeviceps
Callichthyidae
Catfish
Corydoras undulatus
Ariidae
Catfish
Cryptarius truncatus
Sisoridae
Catfish
Gagata youssoufi
Sisoridae
Catfish
Glyptothorax cavia
Heptapteridae
Catfish
Heptapterus mustelinus
Loricariidae
Catfish
Hisonotus nigricauda
Loricariidae
Catfish
Hypostomus borellii
Loricariidae
Catfish
Hypostomus commersoni
Loricariidae
Catfish
Hypostomus laplatae
04 / FIELD NOTES
A closer look
What are a catfish's whiskers used for?
Known as barbels, these flexible appendages are covered with thousands of sensory taste buds and tactile nerve endings, enabling catfish to detect chemical trails and buried prey in murky waters.
Are all catfish bottom scavengers?
No. While many forage along the substrate, catfish diversity includes active surface predators, wood-grazing armored species, pelagic schoolers and specialized fruit eaters.
Why are punctures from catfish fin spines so painful?
The leading rays of their dorsal and pectoral fins form rigid spines that often possess serrated edges and glandular venom coatings that trigger severe inflammatory reactions.