Loricariidae
Catfish
Hypostomus luteomaculatus
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.
Catfish
Loricariidae
Catfish
Hypostomus micromaculatus
Loricariidae
Catfish
Hypostomus punctatus
Loricariidae
Catfish
Hypostomus regani
Loricariidae
Catfish
Loricaria apeltogaster
Loricariidae
Catfish
Loricariichthys anus
Loricariidae
Catfish
Loricariichthys labialis
Loricariidae
Catfish
Loricariichthys maculatus
Loricariidae
Catfish
Megalancistrus parananus
Pimelodidae
Catfish
Megalonema platanum
Pseudopimelodidae
Catfish
Microglanis cottoides
Ariidae
Catfish
Nemapteryx nenga
Loricariidae
Catfish
Otocinclus flexilis
Doradidae
Catfish
Oxydoras kneri
Loricariidae
Catfish
Paraloricaria vetula
Pimelodidae
Catfish
Parapimelodus valenciennis
Heptapteridae
Catfish
Pimelodella chagresi
Pimelodidae
Catfish
Pimelodus albicans
Pimelodidae
Catfish
Pimelodus maculatus
Siluridae
Catfish
Pterocryptis cochinchinensis
Loricariidae
Catfish
Rhinelepis aspera
Doradidae
Catfish
Rhinodoras dorbignyi
Loricariidae
Catfish
Ricola macrops
Loricariidae
Catfish
Spatuloricaria evansii
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.