Wels catfish (Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland)

Wels catfish

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Wels catfish
Drawing of a Wels catfish


General information

This fish is declared noxious in Queensland. It is illegal to possess, rear, breed, sell or buy Wels catfish, live or dead, without a permit. It is an offence to release Wels catfish into Queensland waterways or use them as bait, live or dead. Penalties of up to $200,000 apply.

Scientific name

Silurus spp. (16 species)
Description
  • Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) is the largest species within the Silurus genus
  • commonly grows to 200 cm and weighing 70 kg, although may be capable of growing to 5 m
  • has a broad flat head with a very wide mouth and three pairs of whiskers
  • tail is clearly separated from dorsal and anal fins and differs to that of the native eel-tailed catfish (Tandanus tandanus) where the dorsal and anal fins converge to form an eel-like tail.
Distribution

  • found throughout Europe from the Rhine River in Germany eastwards to the Black and Caspian Seas
  • has also been introduced to the UK, Greece, Spain and some countries in Asia.
Habitat
  • occurs mainly in large lakes and rivers, though occasionally enters brackish water in the Baltic and Black Seas
  • also found in deep waters of dams constructed on the lower reaches of rivers.
Diet

  • nocturnally active and feed on worms, insects, crustaceans and fish
  • larger individuals also eat frogs, rodents and ducks.
Reproduction

  • spawn in late spring to early summer
  • males excavate a nesting pit in the substrate and guard the eggs until the fry hatch
  • males mature at 2-3 years and around 75-80 cm
  • females mature at 3-4 years and around 80-85 cm
  • fecundity varies between locations, with females in Turkish rivers producing an average of 8500 to 12,000 eggs per kg of body weight.
Environmental impacts
  • introduction into Queensland would have a negative impact on native fish communities and waterways through competition, predation and habitat modification.

Resources

Further information

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Page maintained by Greg Ringwood
Last reviewed 23 March 2009

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