Siluriformes is a diverse order of ray-finned fish commonly known as catfish, named for the prominent barbels many species have that resemble a cat whiskers, though not all catfish carry them prominently. All members of the order lack scales, instead having smooth skin or armor-plated bodies, and the order is defined by shared features of the skull and swim bladder, ranging in size from giants such as the Mekong giant catfish and the wels catfish down to the tiny ectoparasitic candiru.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Scientific Name Member Species/Taxa Count Geographic DistributionInland or coastal waters of every continent except Antarctica 1 Defining CharacteristicsScaleless, with smooth skin or armour-plated bodies 1 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceMost have a cylindrical body with a flattened underside 1 Sources
1. Catfish, Wikipedia
Lead paragraph
Catfish are a diverse group of ray-finned fish of the order Siluriformes
Classification
about 3,093 extant species have been described
Distribution and habitat
Catfish live inland or in coastal waters of every continent except Antarctica.
Description, scales
All Siluriformes lack scales, instead possessing either smooth skin or armour-plated bodies.
Description, body shape
Catfish have a variety of body shapes, though most have a cylindrical body with a flattened ventrum to allow for benthic feeding.
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