Wels Catfish

Silurus glanis

Least Concern Brackish

Comprimento Máximo

500,0 cm

Peso Máximo

300,0 kg

Cor

Dark olive-green to slate-gray back …

Faixa de Profundidade

0-30m

Família

Ictaluridae

Categoria

Game Fish

Sobre

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.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value
Maximum Length	500,0 cm
Maximum Weight	300,0 kg
Faixa de Profundidade	0-30m

Coloration

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 & Distribution

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 nocturnal.

Tipo de Água

Brackish

Faixa de Profundidade

0-30m

Distribuição Geográfica

Países

🇩🇪 Germany

{# Distribution Map — SVG world map highlighting countries where the fish is found. Expects: distribution_country_codes (JSON array of ISO alpha-2 codes) #}

Distribution Map

Present Not recorded countries

Conservation Status

Least Concern IUCN Red List

Wels Catfish is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Comestibilidade e Culinária

Sabor

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.

Informações de Pesca

Peixe Esportivo

Sim

Classificação de Resistência

9/5

Isca Recomendada

live baitfish, large lures, worms

Taxonomy

Ordem	Siluriformes (Catfishes)
Família	Ictaluridae (North American catfishes)
Espécies	Silurus glanis

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
French	Silure glane
Spanish	Siluro

Perguntas Frequentes

Can you eat 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.

How big does Wels Catfish get?

Wels Catfish can grow up to 500.0 cm long and weigh 300.0 kg.

Where is Wels Catfish found?

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 to western Europe; occasionally enters brackish river mouths and coastal lagoons. 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 nocturnal.

Is Wels Catfish endangered?

The conservation status of Wels Catfish is Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

What family does Wels Catfish belong to?

Wels Catfish (Silurus glanis) belongs to the family Ictaluridae (North American catfishes) in the order Siluriformes (Catfishes).