Wels Catfish

The wels catfish (*Silurus glanis*) is a large freshwater catfish native to central, southern and eastern Europe and parts of western Asia.

The wels catfish (Silurus glanis) is a large freshwater catfish native to central, southern and eastern Europe and parts of western Asia. It is also called the sheatfish or simply the wels, and has been introduced to several other regions as a sport fish and, in some places, an invasive species. It is among the largest freshwater fish in Europe and one of the largest catfish species in the world.

Description

The wels catfish is a large, elongated, mostly scaleless fish with a broad flattened head, mottled colouring and long barbels. It is among the largest freshwater fishes in Europe and can grow to very large sizes, although most individuals are much smaller than the maximum reported size.

Distribution and habitat

The species is native to wide areas of central, southern and eastern Europe and western Asia. It lives in slow-moving lowland rivers, lakes, backwaters, shallow channels and weed-covered floodplain waters.

Biology and feeding

The wels catfish is a carnivorous, mostly nocturnal predator. Its diet includes fish, frogs, water birds and occasionally small mammals, with feeding behavior shaped by its size and opportunistic habits.

Introductions and status

Humans have introduced the species to additional countries in Western Europe, the Mediterranean region and Asia, often for sport fishing and aquaculture. In some places it is treated as an invasive or non-native fish.