Catfish is a large freshwater fish that lives in the rivers and lakes of our country. Adults grow up to 3 meters long and weigh up to 150 kg.
Depending on the time of year and habitat, catfish fish, photos of which can be found in large numbers on the Internet, has a different color - from black to bright yellow. Sometimes it is possible to meet an albino.
Catfish has a large and wide head. Large jaws contain many small sharp teeth. Near the mouth of the fish there are two long white whiskers, and a little lower, on the chin, four more small ones. The catfish's eyes are large and downcast. The skin has no scales.
The small fin of the fish on the back is not at all like the anal fin - longer, wider. The tail occupies a significant part of the body.
Catfish is a fish that lives at the bottom of a reservoir, its body is fully adapted to such a life. It rarely rises to the surface of the water. Usually catfish finds a deep hole and settles in it. Also, the place should be quiet, without strong currents, and the bottom should be solid. He loves snags and fallen trees. Catfish is a thermophilic fish. Already at the beginning of autumn, when the first cold weather appears, it stops feeding and lies on the bottom for the winter.
Fish catfish muddy waterdoes not like, so when it rains, he hides in his hole.
It is an omnivore, so it can be safely called a "water body orderly". Catfish food is frogs, molluscs, crustaceans, waterfowl and small animals that swim across the river. Also, he will not refuse the meat of dead animals.
But his main diet is fish. To catch her, the catfish disguises itself and waits for its approach. He does not pursue his prey, but attacks unexpectedly. For food, the catfish swims up at night, near its hole you can observe increased activity.
Usually he hunts alone, but if there is a lot of food, you can see several fish at the same time in one place.
Growing catfish fish slowly. It gains 1.5-2 kg per year, and only by the age of five its weight is 8-10 kg, and its length is one meter. Puberty in fish occurs only by 3-4 years of life.
Spawning in catfish begins with warming up the water to 17-19 degrees, starting from the end of May. To do this, he leaves his hole and finds a quiet place (backwaters or bays).
The female herself chooses a male from numerous applicants, after which they drive the rest away.
The two of them go to the place where the spawning will take place, which the couple prepares together. To do this, catfish dig holes up to 1 meter deep, after which the female lays a small amount of eggs.
The appearance of larvae occurs after 7-10 days, at this time both parents are nearby and guard them, driving away other fish. With the advent of fry, catfish leave the spawning place andback to their pit.
You can catch this fish from the end of April to August. Catfish bite best at night. Earthworms, leeches and frogs are suitable as bait. Catfish are usually not used with artificial baits; they do not always manage to fall into the pit due to the current. Good fishing helpers will be a high-quality and strong fishing rod, a rubber boat and a landing net with which you can pull the catch out of the water.
Somov, weighing up to 5 kg and after 20 kg, are usually released. Juveniles need more growth, and very large individuals have reproductive value.
