Channel Catfish vs Greater Amberjack
Ictalurus punctatus compared with Seriola dumerili
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Channel Catfish | Greater Amberjack |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ictalurus punctatus | Seriola dumerili |
| Order | Siluriformes | Carangiformes |
| Family | Ictaluridae | Carangidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Channel Catfish | Greater Amberjack |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 132.0 cm | 200.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 26.0 kg | 80.6 kg |
| Color | Blue-gray to olive-gray back with silvery-white sides; scattered small black spots on the flanks in juveniles that fade with age; belly creamy-white; deeply forked tail fin is uniformly grayish. | Olive-green to bluish back with a wide amber to golden-yellow mid-lateral stripe running from eye to tail; silvery-white belly; a dark diagonal stripe extends from snout through the eye to the dorsal fin. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Channel Catfish | Greater Amberjack |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Saltwater |
| Depth Range | 0-15m | 1-385m |
| Geographic Range | Native to the central and eastern United States and southern Canada, from the Great Lakes south through the Mississippi River basin to the Gulf Coast. … | Circumglobal in tropical and subtropical waters including the Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, and Pacific. Commonly found around deepwater reefs, rocky outcrops, and offshore oil … |
| Habitat | Estuaries | Pelagic, coral reefs |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Channel Catfish | Greater Amberjack |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 5/10 | 9/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Channel Catfish
Firm, moist white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor and very low fat. A Southern U.S. staple — beloved deep-fried with cornmeal batter; also excellent grilled or blackened.
Greater Amberjack
Firm, rich flesh with a moderately strong flavor; can carry parasites in tropical waters, requiring thorough cooking. Good grilled or baked; related to the highly prized Japanese hamachi.
Species Overview
Channel Catfish
The channel catfish is the most abundant and widely fished catfish species in North America. It has a keen sense of smell, with taste buds distributed across its entire body, enabling it to locate food in murky water.
Greater Amberjack
The greater amberjack is the largest of the jacks, known for brutal head-shaking fights and powerful dives toward structure. Found near reefs, wrecks, and offshore platforms in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide.