About National Catfish Day
Catfish are an extremely diverse group of ray-finned fish that get their nickname from their feline-looking whiskers, which are actually barbels that act as a defense mechanism (unlike other fish that have scales to defend them).
Catfish have a large, flat head and elongated body. The entire body of a catfish is covered with taste buds that can detect chemicals in the water and respond to touch. The greatest concentration of sensory organs is located on the whiskers. Catfish develop up to four pairs of whiskers.
Catfish can live in a number of conditions, with species that live in saltwater, freshwater and brackish water. Some catfish prefer stagnant water and others call rivers and streams with fast-moving currents their homes, it all depends. Some species of catfish are nocturnal(sleep during the day) while others are diurnal(active during the day).
Catfish are one of a few fish that have an organ called the Weberian apparatus that they use to communicate with each other underwater. The Weberian apparatus also helps improve its hearing ability. Catfish make additional sounds by rubbing parts of their bodies together underwater.
- Did you know? The catfish has over 27,000 taste buds.