Catfish World Records: Largest catfish ever discovered

key point

• Catfish can range from small, such as the pencil catfish, about a centimeter long at maturity, to one of the largest catfish, weighing 440 pounds at full maturity.
• Catfish are one of the most incredible fish with the greatest variety. They are easily recognized by the vibrissae (whiskers) on their faces, which help them sense their surroundings.
• Half of this fish is poisonous.

A variety of catfish can be found all over the world. They are divided into 33 families, 400 species, and more than 3,000 species! You can find different species of catfish from Virginia to Vienna.

Various species of this fish can be found on every continent except Antarctica, making them a sought-after item for anglers and professional fishermen. Whether you're fishing in saltwater, freshwater, or brackish water, you're likely to see smalleye whiskers nearby.

Have you ever gone fishing with your dad and got pulled hard on your line? Have you ever struggled to catch an aggressive catfish? They're fighters, and big fish are possible even for the amateur fisherman! So have you ever wondered… what was the biggest catfish ever?

Let's try to answer this question. What is the world record for flathead catfish – the largest ever caught and measured? Read on to find out.

Catfish: Not all created equal

Catfish are one of the most incredible fish with the greatest variety. They are easily recognized by the vibrissae (whiskers) on their faces, which help them sense their surroundings. South America, Asia, and Africa have the most diverse collections, but a wide variety of species is common everywhere.

Catfish can range from small, such as the pencil catfish, about a centimeter long at maturity, to one of the largest catfish, weighing 440 pounds at full maturity. They are voracious eaters who will eat a varied diet and grow to incredible sizes.

Catfish are popular with anglers, but care must be taken when hunting and handling this worm. Did you know half of these species are poisonous? ! half! Some can even be deadly, while many escape only with bony and sharp spines.

There are some exciting catfish out there, like the electric Nile catfish. A big one of these guys can knock a guy out with up to 300-400 volts! River guides strongly recommend wearing shoes in the water.

Catfish have evolved to do all sorts of things, even walk and talk! Striped Raphael catfish or "talking catfish" make sounds with their spines, but a walking catfish?

The walking catfish uses its pectoral fins as arms to move on land, across wet and dry places. This catfish can also breathe out of the water to help survive conditions such as drought. Although not native to the United States, it has become an invasive species that reproduces rapidly.

Catfish: An Ancient Fish

Catfish have been around for centuries. They are even thought to have appeared during the Cretaceous period alongside the dinosaurs.

In 2017, a giant catfish fossil was discovered in the Wadi Al-Hitan desert southwest of Cairo, Egypt. This catfish was named Qarmoutus hitanensis and is believed to have lived about 37 million years ago!

Astonishingly, paleontologists say the catfish remained largely anatomically unchanged despite the millions of years of fossils. Qarmoutus hitanensis was measured to be about 6.5 feet, compared to today's Mekong and Welsh catfish.

Catfish: Known for their resistance

Despite their size, catfish have a reputation for being challenging. In 2015, an Italian fisherman named Dino caught an 8-foot-9, 280-pound Wells catfish in Italy's Po River, a popular fishing destination.

Dino spent 40 minutes trying to catch this gigantic catfish, probably thinking it might become the biggest catfish ever! Eventually, he brought the fish to shore, took a few photos, and released the catfish to live out the rest of its life. Even 11-pound catfish can make you sweat when you bring them to the surface, professional fishermen say.

Catfish: World Record Catch Mekong Catfish

The world record for the largest catfish ever caught is a flathead catfish called the Mekong catfish. These giant catfish live in the murky waters of the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. In 2005, a man caught a 9-foot-long, 646-pound Mekong catfish, breaking the world record for the world's largest catfish.

While breaking the record for the largest catfish ever caught is an amazing feat for anglers, the story is a bit sad. Mekong catfish are severely threatened by habitat degradation and dam construction along the Mekong River.

In this case, villagers intend to sell the fish to environmental groups. Unfortunately, the fish died before it could catch it. Instead, villagers divide the fish as food and feed it to their community for weeks.

Still, the Mekong catfish was not only the largest catfish ever caught, but also the largest freshwater-only fish, and it was an experience that village will never forget.

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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What was the largest blue catfish ever recorded?

Anderson caught his blue catfish in Kerr Lake, Virginia, in 2011 and currently holds the record.

What was the largest flathead catfish ever recorded?

Ken Paulie caught the largest catfish back in 1998, and he still holds the world record, despite questions about its legality. Flathead is over 5 feet long and weighs 123 pounds.

What is the biggest Piraiba ever?

The largest, the Piraiba, is native to South America and measures 6.5 feet long and weighs 341 pounds. Jorge Masullo de Aguiar caught this record catfish in 2009.

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