Under Construction

Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque 1818)

Channel Catfish

Larry Page
Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
Containing group: Ictalurus

Identification

The Channel Catfish varies greatly in color. Most individuals have scattered black spots on a silver back and side. Very small individuals, which usually have black-tipped fins, and very large individuals, which are blue-black, lack dark spots. The Channel Catfish is white below, has white to dusky gray barbels, a rounded anal fin with 24-29 rays, and a slightly rounded predorsal profile. The air bladder lacks a distinct constriction. To 50 in. (127 cm) total length.

Range

The Channel Catfish is native to St. Lawrence-Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red R. drainage), and Missouri-Mississippi R. basins from southern Quebec to southern Manitoba and Montana south to the Gulf of Mexico. It also possibly is native on the Atlantic and Gulf Slopes from the Susquehanna River to the Neuse River, and from Savannah River to Lake Okeechobee, Florida, and west to northern Mexico and eastern New Mexico. It has been introduced throughout most of the U.S. and is common to abundant in most areas.

Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window

Native distribution of Ictalurus punctatus. © Larry Page

Habitat

The Channel Catfish lives in deep pools and runs over sand or rocky bottom in small to large rivers, and is found over sandy and rocky areas of lakes. The species is rarely found in upland, high-gradient streams.

Similar Species

The Blue Catfish, I. furcatus, occurs over much of the range of the Channel Catfish but lacks dark spots on the body, and has a straight-edged anal fin with 30-35 rays and a straight predorsal profile. The Headwater Catfish, I. lupus, is nearly identical to the Channel Catfish but has a deeper caudal peduncle, and a broader head and mouth. The Yaqui Catfish, I. pricei, has a shorter pectoral spine, dorsal spine, and anal fin base.

Other Names for Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque 1818)

Title Illustrations
Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
Click on an image to view larger version & data in a new window
Scientific Name Ictalurus punctatus
Location Tygarts Cr., Greenup Co., KY
Specimen Condition Dead Specimen
Identified By L. M. Page
Life Cycle Stage Juvenile
Size 93 mm SL
Copyright © Larry Page
About This Page

Larry Page
Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida, USA

Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to Larry Page at and Griffin Sheehy at

All Rights Reserved.

Citing this page:

Page, Larry. 2007. Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque 1818). Channel Catfish. Version 23 May 2007 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Ictalurus_punctatus/69937/2007.05.23 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/

edit this page
close box

This page is a Tree of Life Leaf Page.

Each ToL leaf page provides a synopsis of the characteristics of a group of organisms representing a leaf at the tip of the Tree of Life. The major distinction between a leaf and a branch of the Tree of Life is that a leaf cannot generally be further subdivided into subgroups representing distinct genetic lineages.

For a more detailed explanation of the different ToL page types, have a look at the Structure of the Tree of Life page.

close box

Ictalurus punctatus

Page Content

articles & notes

collections

people

Explore Other Groups

random page

  go to the Tree of Life home page
top