Wels Catfish

Silurus glanis

Least Concern Brackish

最大体长

500.0 cm

最大体重

300.0 kg

体色

Dark olive-green to slate-gray back …

栖息水深

0-30m

科

Ictaluridae

类别

Game Fish

简介

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
栖息水深	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.

水质类型

Brackish

栖息水深

0-30m

地理分布

国家

🇩🇪 Germany

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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).

食用性与烹饪

口味

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.

钓鱼信息

游钓鱼种

是

搏鱼评级

9/5

推荐饵料

live baitfish, large lures, worms

Taxonomy

目	Siluriformes (Catfishes)
科	Ictaluridae (North American catfishes)
物种	Silurus glanis

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
French	Silure glane
Spanish	Siluro

常见问题

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).