Goliath Grouper vs Wels Catfish
Epinephelus itajara compared with Silurus glanis
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Goliath Grouper | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Epinephelus itajara | Silurus glanis |
| Order | Perciformes/Serranoidei | Siluriformes |
| Family | Epinephelidae | Siluridae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Goliath Grouper | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 250.0 cm | 500.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 363.0 kg | 300.0 kg |
| Color | Yellow-brown to olive-green body densely covered with small dark brown spots and irregular blotches; 3–4 faint pale vertical bands on the flanks; juveniles show bolder contrasting yellow and black stripes. | Dark olive-green to slate-gray back with irregular mottled marbling of darker blotches; flanks grade to olive-yellow; scaleless smooth skin; belly pale cream to yellowish-white; head broad and flat. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Goliath Grouper | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Saltwater | Brackish |
| Depth Range | 0-100m | 0-30m |
| Geographic Range | Tropical western Atlantic from Florida and the Gulf of Mexico through the Caribbean Sea to Brazil, and eastern Pacific from the Gulf of California to … | Native to large river systems and lakes of central and eastern Europe from the Rhine basin east to the Caspian and Aral sea drainages. Introduced … |
| Habitat | Neritic, coral reefs, estuaries | Large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs across Europe and Asia (Volga, Danube, Rhine, Ob). Inhabits deep, slow-moving freshwater with soft substrates. Tolerates turbid water (15-25°C). Highly … |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Goliath Grouper | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Goliath Grouper
Firm, flaky white flesh with a mild, sweet flavor; harvest is heavily restricted or banned throughout most of its range due to Vulnerable status. Catch-and-release strongly encouraged.
Wels Catfish
Fatty, soft flesh with a mild, slightly sweet flavor; quality improves from cold, clean water fish. Popular in Central European cuisines — commonly smoked, fried, or braised with vegetables.
Species Overview
Goliath Grouper
The goliath grouper is the largest grouper in the Atlantic Ocean. This massive reef dweller can swallow prey whole and produces a distinctive booming sound by contracting its swim bladder to ward off intruders.
Wels Catfish
The wels catfish is the largest freshwater fish in Europe, capable of exceeding 5 meters. Found in large rivers and lakes across the continent, it has been documented beaching itself to catch pigeons. It can live over 80 years.