| All the different catfish species can be found in | | | | barbells on many other fishes in addition to the |
| the order Siluriformes; and order that contains no | | | | catfishes, including goatfish, a few carps and |
| less than 37 different families. The 37th catfish | | | | some sharks. |
| family was actually added to the order very | | | | In addition to barbells, the various catfish species |
| recently – June 2005. Almost all the | | | | share another notable anatomical feature – |
| different catfish species are freshwater dwellers, | | | | they are scale less. Catfish from all families but |
| but in the family Plotosidae and Ariidae you will | | | | one are also equipped with a hollow leading ray |
| find catfish species that do not live in freshwater. | | | | that can excrete a powerful protein to scare off |
| Catfishes have adapted to a wide range of | | | | or injure potential threats. Some species can even |
| different ecological niches you can find small | | | | harm humans and must be handled very carefully. |
| catfish species as well as huge ones like the Wells | | | | You should be especially cautious when dealing |
| Catfish that can grow up to 5 meters (16 feet) | | | | with catfish specimens belonging to the genus |
| long and the Giant Mekong Catfish that can weigh | | | | Heteropneustes (in the family Plotosidae), since a |
| almost 300 kg (661 lbs). These two big catfish | | | | sting from one of these species can require |
| species are naturally not very suitable as aquarium | | | | hospital treatment. There is one catfish family |
| fish, but there is a vast array of other species | | | | where the species have no hollow leading ray, the |
| that you can keep even in a moderately sized | | | | family Malapteruridae. These species can not |
| aquarium. The Plecos are for instance very | | | | produce any stinging protein, and will instead |
| popular in aquariums and many species can be | | | | protect themselves by sending out a very |
| kept even by inexperienced aquarists. Two of the | | | | powerful electric shock. Due to this capability, the |
| most popular Plecos among novice aquarists are | | | | species found in the family Malapteruridae are |
| the Suckermouth Catfish (Hypostomus | | | | called Electric catfishes. |
| plecostomus) and the Bristlenose Catfish | | | | Another example of a fascinating catfish species |
| (Ancistrus dolichopterus). | | | | is the Candiru (Vandellia cirrhosa). This catfish is |
| One of the most distinguishing anatomical | | | | popularly referred to as the "Vampire Fish of |
| characteristics of the catfishes is the prominent | | | | Brazil" since it will attach itself to the gills of other |
| barbells found near the mouth. A barbell is a long, | | | | fishes and drink their blood. This fish is not very |
| tactile organ that is very useful for fishes that live | | | | popular in Southern America since it sometimes |
| in murky waters where the visibility is limited. The | | | | tries to attach itself to swimming humans, when |
| catfish will use its barbells when hunting and | | | | attracted to blood or urine excretion. The body of |
| manoeuvring in dark environments, just like a cat | | | | this catfish is almost transparent, which makes |
| will uses its whiskers. The barbells of a catfish do | | | | the fish quite hard to spot in the water. The fish |
| however have taste buds and the catfish can | | | | is also quite small, only 2.5-6 centimetres (1.0-2.4 |
| therefore "taste" its environment. You can find | | | | inches) in lenght. |