European Catfish (Silurus glanis) lives in river across Southeastern Europe. It feeds on fish and crustaceans. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Fascinating facts about the European Catfish
- The wels catfish first appeared in the fossil record about 5.3 million years ago, when the late Miocene left identifiable remains in Ukraine. Even older fragments, dated to 6-7 million years, hint the species lingered in the same region before spreading. Those ancient survivors outlasted the once-dominant Soldatov's catfish, which vanished from Europe by the late Pliocene, showing the wels' superior tolerance to cooling and drying trends that reshaped eastern Europe's waterways.
- Most wels catfish grow to 1.3-1.6 m, but the giants dwarf that size: a record 2.49 m specimen from Kiebingen weighed 89 kg, while the heaviest authenticated catch from the Po River tipped the scales at 134.97 kg. An unweighed Polish record stretched 2.92 m, and anecdotal reports claim individuals over 3 m and 200 kg. These extremes illustrate why the wels is one of Europe's top freshwater predators.
- Wels catfish have turned into aerial hunters in France: a 2012 study filmed them lunging out of the water to snatch pigeons, succeeding 28 % of the time. Stable-isotope analysis of stomach contents later confirmed a highly variable intake of terrestrial birds, showing the species can quickly adapt its diet when introduced to new environments, such as the Tarn River where this behavior first appeared in 1983.
- Since being released into Spain's Mequinenza Reservoir in 1974, wels catfish have spread throughout the Ebro basin, driving native Iberian barbels to local extinction and prompting a surge in aquatic algae. Their predatory pressure reshapes fish communities, highlighting the ecological risks of moving this top predator beyond its historic range.
- A single female can lay up to 30,000 eggs for every kilogram she weighs. After the female drops the eggs, the male guards the nest, keeping the clutch moist by splashing with his tail if water levels fall. Long lifespans of up to 70 years.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeSoutheastern Europe
HabitatRiver
DietFish and crustaceans
About the European Catfish
In the murky depths of Europe's rivers, a silent giant stirs, its sleek, grey form undulating through the water with a slow, deliberate pace. The European Catfish is a master of stealth, its broad, flat head and whisker-like barbels sensing the subtlest vibrations in the current as it navigates the dark, mysterious world of sunken logs and rocky crevices. With a gentle yet unyielding power, it glides through the water, a testament to the enduring resilience of life in even the most unexpected of places.
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