Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) fish species and information / pictures of Wels catfish - Silurus glanis

Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Silurus glanis

Common Name
Wels catfish

Biology
Inhabits large and medium size lowland rivers, backwaters and well vegetated lakes. Occurs mainly in large lakes and rivers, though occasionally enters brackish water in the Baltic and Black Seas. Found in deep waters of dams constructed on the lower reaches of rivers. A nocturnal predator, foraging near bottom and in water column. Larvae and juveniles are benthic, feeding on a wide variety of invertebrates and fish. Adults prey on fish and other aquatic vertebrates. Attains first sexual maturity at 2-3 years of age. Spawns in the salt water of the Aral Sea . Marketed fresh, canned and frozen; can be pan-fried and baked. Locally threatened due to river regulation destroying shallow spawning sites.

Classification

Classified By
Linnaeus, 1758
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Catfish (Siluriformes)
Family
Sheatfishes (Siluridae)

Distribution

Region
Europe and Asia. North, Baltic, Black, Caspian and Aral Sea basins, as far north as southern Sweden and Finland; Aegean Sea basin in Maritza and from Struma to Sperchios drainages; Turkey. Absent from the rest of Mediterranean basin. Now widely introduced and translocated throught Europe and Lake Balkhash basin in Kazakhstan. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction. In Appendix III of the Bern Convention (protected fauna).
Distribution
Europe and Asia. North, Baltic, Black, Caspian and Aral Sea basins, as far north as southern Sweden and Finland; Aegean Sea basin in Maritza and from Struma to Sperchios drainages; Turkey. Absent from the rest of Mediterranean basin. Now widely introduced and translocated throught Europe and Lake Balkhash basin in Kazakhstan. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction. In Appendix III of the Bern Convention.
Range
62°N - 36°N, 0°E - 80°E

Environment

Climate
Temperate
Water Temperature From
4 °C
Water Temperature To
20 °C
Depth From - meters
0 m
Depth To - meters
30 m
Zone
benthopelagic
Environment
Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; non-migratory; depth range 0 - 30 m
Trophic Level
4.37 s.e. 0.67 Based on diet studies.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
500 cm
Common Length
300 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes
Vulnerability
Very high vulnerability (87 of 100)
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=3-4; tmax=30)
Threat To Humans
Potential pest
IUCN Red List Status
Least Concern (LC)