TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia (animals)
Phylum; chordata (chordates)
Subphylum: Vertebrata (vertebrates)
Superclass: Osteichthyes (bony fishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Siluriformes (Catfish)
Family: Ictaluridae (North American freshwater catfishes)

Genus/species: Ictalurus punctatus 

Channel Catfish 4814480548_07a4554eb4_b

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Color varies from blue, black, olive; speckled above, lighter below, with males generally darker than females. Like all catfish, are scaleless. Two barbels in upper jaw,four below, keel like adipose fin and a forked tail. Size to 24 inches and weight to 13 kg (28.6 lbs).

DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: North America: Central drainages of the United States to southern Canada and northern Mexico. Found in rivers and streams, ponds and reservoirs, especially on sand or gravel bottom near rocks or logs where they hide during the day.

DIET IN THE WILD: Olfactory sensors on barbels and the body. Omnivorous eating small fish, crayfish, clams and snails; also feed on aquatic insects and small mammals.

REPRODUCTION: Monogamous. Mate once a year, males guard nest. Farmed world-wide as a food source.

REMARKS: Albino form common in the aquarium trade.
Farmed world-wide as a food source.

Waterplanet Feeding Cluster and Swamp SW02

flickr  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/sets/72157608608528651/with/4814480548/

WordPress Shortlink  http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-110

6-25-13