Welcome To Catfish Unlimited.Com
Learn more about the catfish, catfish farming, catfish cooking and just about everything related to catfish from the resources on Catfish Unlimited.com. Some common names for catfish - spotted catfish, river catfish, channel catfish.
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White Catfish-Other names: forked-tail cat, catfish. Despite the name, white catfish sport a bluish coloring above with a silver-hued underside. They are not spotted like channel cats.
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They have a blunt, more-rounded head and the tail is moderately forked, and the anal fin is shorter and rounder than that of channel or blue catfish. Whites have only 19-22 anal fin rays. The chin barbels are white or yellow.
Habitats - White catfish inhabit the fresh and slightly brackish water of river channels, streams and ponds. Originally restricted to the Atlantic Coast from New York to Florida, the species has been introduced and is thriving widely outside its native range. Although tolerant of swiftly flowing streams, it prefers a slower current than its cousin, the channel catfish. They will tolerate a siltier bottom and higher salinity, and prefer water temperatures of 80 to 85 degrees.
Spawning Habits - As with other members of its family, they are nest builders, and the male guards the young for some time after they hatch. Both parents help excavate the large nest, usually on a sand or gravel bar. Spawning occurs in the early summer when waters reach about 70 degrees.
Sporting Qualities - White catfish are second only to the channel catfish in popularity. Live bait, especially minnows and worms, accounts for most caught whites. They also feed on nearly all aquatic life, including other fish and insects, but they also will take cut and prepared baits.
Feeding Habits - Although fish are their major food, whites also eat larval aquatic insects, small crustaceans, fish eggs and aquatic plants. They may feed at night, but are not as nocturnal as other catfish.
Growth - Whites grow more slowly than other catfish species. Fish as old as 11 years have been documented. They seldom exceed a weight of three pounds
Eating Quality - An excellent food fish, whites are prized for their firm, white flesh.
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