Wels Catfish

The wels catfish is one of the largest freshwater fish in Europe and western Asia, native to rivers and lakes across much of the continent and long established through introduction in many others, capable of growing to lengths of over two metres and weights exceeding one hundred kilograms in exceptional cases. It has a long, scaleless body, a broad flattened head and six long barbels around its wide mouth, which it uses to detect prey in murky water, feeding on fish, crustaceans, amphibians and, occasionally, waterfowl or small mammals that venture too close to the water's edge. Wels catfish are mostly nocturnal ambush predators, lying in wait near submerged structures or riverbanks before lunging at passing prey, and their sheer size has made them a prized target for sport anglers across much of Europe. The species has become invasive in some regions outside its native range, where its size and appetite can place heavy pressure on native fish populations.