CONNECTICUT RIVER CHANNEL CATFISH
For inquiries, contact Adam P. Summers, Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
The Catfishes
There are about 30 families of catfishes and over 2200 species. They range in size from the tiny Amazonian candiru (2cm adult) to the giant European wels (Silurus glanis)which may reach 3 meters in length. There are fresh and saltwater catfishes and some that can move between these habitats. The Connecticut River has representatives of a single family of catfishes, the Ictaluridae. There are four large catfishes and one tiny one in the Connecticut drainage. They share several features that immediately identify them as catfish. These include the eight barbels around the mouth, the scaleless skin and the venomous spines in front of the dorsal and pectoral fins. The most common are 'bullheads', one of three members of the genus Ameiurus found in the river. Adults of all three species are 28-40cm in length with a maximum weight of around 4kg (10lbs). The white catfish (Ameiurus catus), the brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) and the yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis) are easily distinguished as long as the fish is in hand or sitting still. The white catfish and yellow bullhead have white barbels under their chin, in contrast to the black, brown or gray barbels of the brown bullhead. The white catfish has a moderately forked tail whereas the yellow bullhead's tail is slightly rounded. The channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) can reach lengths of 60cm and weigh over 15kg. This hefty fellow, an introduction to the Connecticut in the '20s, is easily separated from the bullheads by a deeply forked tail and the relatively larger eye. The tiny catfish of the Connecticut drainage will probably not be seen by divers in the main stem. The tadpole madtom (Noturus gyrinus) never grows beyond 10cm and can be distinguished from the young of the other catfishes because the second dorsal fin is continuous with the tail.
Catfishes have a remarkable sense of hearing due to a sound amplification system called the Weberian apparatus. This consists of a series of specialized bones that connect the swim bladder to the otic region of the skull. The swim bladder serves as a resonating chamber and the bony connection amplifies the sounds and transmits them to the skull, where they are detected by the inner ear. Their sense of taste is also well developed. The barbels around the mouth are covered with taste buds, as are the lips. The fish swim along the bottom thrusting the barbels into crevices and holes, and sweeping them along the bottom, and in this way sample a wide swath.
Though solitary as adults the newly hatched tadpoles school together and in many cases will stay with the mother. The mother offers protection for the young, in some cases actually holding them in her mouth when a predator threatens. Even small catfish are not undefended in spite of a lack of scales. The dorsal and pectoral fins are each armed with a sharp stiff spine that can be locked erect. Epidermal poison glands make the wound of these spines particularly painful. It is interesting that the most painful venom is found in the smallest catfish, the tadpole madtom. These defensive spines also serve as sound production devices. Erecting and then locking the spines makes loud clicking noises.
Catfish is of course a wonderful food fish. They are more valued for food in the south than in the north, perhaps because the larger species are native to the south. The meat is very light and flaky with few bones.
CAUTION - DO NOT EAT CONNECTICUT RIVER CATFISH AS THEIR FLESH CONTAINS PCBs - Catch and return only!
