Siluriformes
Akysidae
Amblycipitidae
Amphiliidae
Ariidae
Aspredinidae
Astroblepidae
Auchenipteridae
Bagridae
Callichthyidae
Cetopsidae
Chacidae
Clariidae
Claroteidae
Cranoglanididae
Diplomystidae
Doradidae
Hypophthalmidae
Ictaluridae
Loricariidae
Malapteruridae
Mochokidae
Nematogenyidae
Pangasiidae
Parakysidae
Pimelodidae
Plotosidae
Schilbeidae
Scoloplacidae
Siluridae
Sisoridae
Trichomycteridae
</table>
Catfish (
order Siluriformes) are a diverse group of
fish. Notable for their prominent
barbels, they are found in freshwater environments of all kinds, with species on every continent except
Antarctica. Some species from the families Ariidae and Plotosidae are also found in marine environs. They range in size and behavior from the largest freshwater fish in the world (the
European wels, or
Silurus glanis), to detritivores (species that eat dead material on the bottom), and even to a tiny parasitic species commonly called the
candiru (
Vandellia cirrhosa). At present there are 35 catfish families, although this number is in constant flux due to
taxonomic work on the order.
They belong to a superorder called the Ostariophysi, which also includes the
Cypriniformes,
Characiformes, and
Gymnotiformes (although some place Gymnotiformes as a sub-order of Siluriformes).
Catfish have no
scales. All catfish, except members of Malapteruridae (electric catfish), posses a strong, hollow, bonified leading ray on their
dorsal and
pectoral fins, through which a stinging
protein can be delivered if the fish is irritated. In members of the family Plotosidae, and of the genus Heteropneustes, this protein is so strong it may hospitalize humans unfortunate enough to receive a sting.
Catfish are important food fish throughout the world. Ictalurids are cultivated in
North America (especially in the
Deep South), while
Clariids and Pangasiids are heavily cultured in
Africa and
Asia. There is also a large and growing ornamental fish trade, with catfish a popular component of many
aquaria.
Examples of catfish species:
