TankBud

Channel catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Also known as Channel cat, Spotted catfish, Lady cat

FreshwaterFish

Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
USFWS Mountain Prairie · Public domain

Care at a glance

Temperature
50–86°F
10–30°C
pH
6.5–8.0
Adult size
39.4 in
100 cm
Minimum tank
1,057 gal
4,000 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Common
Family
Ictaluridae
Origin
Native to rivers and lakes of North America.

Overview

The channel catfish is a bottom-dwelling catfish that is really a coldwater pond fish, not a tropical tank fish. It is hardy, but it is a fish for experienced keepers.

Did you know

A channel catfish is essentially a giant swimming tongue. Taste buds cover its whole body and are packed most densely on its barbels. That lets it taste prey in muddy water it cannot see through.

Caring for the channel catfish

The channel catfish is sold small but grows large, so plan on an outdoor pond or a very large tank. It needs at least 1,057 gal (4,000 L).

It handles a very wide temperature range, from 50 to 86°F (10 to 30°C), with a pH of 6.5 to 8.0. It tolerates the cool end of that range and needs no heater in a temperate pond.

It is an eager, messy feeder. Offer sinking pellets, and thanks to a lifetime of aquaculture it is easy to feed.

The channel catfish is mostly peaceful with fish too large to eat, but it will swallow smaller companions. It does fine alone or in a group. Breeding it is moderately difficult.

Good to know

Ictalurus punctatus commonly reaches 40 to 60 cm, and record fish pass 130 cm and weigh over 20 kg. It is the most farmed food fish in North America and is stocked widely for angling. An albino form is common in the aquarium and pond trade. It also goes by channel cat and spotted catfish.

In the wild

The channel catfish is a temperate North American fish of rivers, lakes and ponds, at home in cool to warm water. It is an adaptable bottom forager that hunts by smell and taste, mostly at night.

Common questions

What size tank does a channel catfish need?

A channel catfish needs at least 1,057 gal (4,000 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a channel catfish need?

A channel catfish is comfortable at 50–86°F (10–30°C) with a pH of 6.5–8.0.

What does a channel catfish eat?

A channel catfish is an eager, messy feeder that takes sinking pellets. It will also swallow smaller tank mates.

How big does a channel catfish get?

An adult channel catfish reaches about 39.4 in (100 cm).

Related species