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Revision as of 21:54, 1 September 2004 editPcb21 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users20,408 edits Category:Catfishes← Previous edit Revision as of 06:03, 18 September 2004 edit undoTom Radulovich (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Page movers, Pending changes reviewers85,489 edits alphabetize families, add claroteidaeNext edit →
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<tr><th align="center" bgcolor=pink>'''Families'''</th></tr> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor=pink>'''Families'''</th></tr>
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'''Catfish''' are a very diverse group of ]. Notable for their prominent ]s, they are found in freshwater environments of all kinds, with species on every continent except ]. 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 ]an wels, or <i>Silurus glanis</i>), to detritivores (species that eat dead material on the bottom), and even to a tiny parasitic species commonly called the ''']''' (''Vandellia cirrhosa''). At present there are 35 catfish families, although this number is in constant flux due to ] work on the order. '''Catfish''' (] '''Siluriformes''') are a diverse group of ]. Notable for their prominent ]s, they are found in freshwater environments of all kinds, with species on every continent except ]. 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 ]an wels, or <i>Silurus glanis</i>), to detritivores (species that eat dead material on the bottom), and even to a tiny parasitic species commonly called the ''']''' (''Vandellia cirrhosa''). At present there are 35 catfish families, although this number is in constant flux due to ] work on the order.


They belong to a superorder called the ], which also includes the ], ], and ] (although some place Gymnotiformes as a sub-order of Siluriformes). They belong to a superorder called the ], which also includes the ], ], and ] (although some place Gymnotiformes as a sub-order of Siluriformes).
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Catfish have no ]s. All catfish, except members of ] (electric catfish), posses a strong, hollow, bonified leading ray on their ] and ]s, through which a stinging ] can be delivered if the fish is irritated. In members of the family ], and of the genus ], this protein is so strong it may hospitalize humans unfortunate enough to receive a sting. Catfish have no ]s. All catfish, except members of ] (electric catfish), posses a strong, hollow, bonified leading ray on their ] and ]s, through which a stinging ] can be delivered if the fish is irritated. In members of the family ], and of the genus ], 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 ] (especially in the ]), while ] and ] are heavily cultured in ] and ]. There is also a large and growing ornamental fish trade, with catfish a popular component of many ]. Catfish are important food fish throughout the world. ] are cultivated in ] (especially in the ]), while ] and ] are heavily cultured in ] and ]. There is also a large and growing ornamental fish trade, with catfish a popular component of many ].


Examples of catfish species: Examples of catfish species:

Revision as of 06:03, 18 September 2004

Catfish
Template:Regnum:Animalia
Template:Phylum:Chordata
Template:Classis:Actinopterygii
Template:Ordo:Siluriformes
Families

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


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:

catfish
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