{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "catfish",
  "name": "Channel Catfish",
  "scientificName": "Ictalurus punctatus",
  "category": "Fish",
  "summary": "The channel catfish is one of the most popular sport and farmed fish in North America, recognised by barbels ('whiskers'), smooth scaleless skin, and a forked tail. Native to central and eastern rivers and lakes, it grows to 10–25 kg (22–55 lb), tastes mild, and uses taste buds across its body to find food.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Actinopterygii",
    "order": "Siluriformes",
    "family": "Ictaluridae",
    "genus": "Ictalurus"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 8,
    "lengthM": 0.6,
    "topSpeedKmh": 8,
    "lifespanYears": 15
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Ictalurus punctatus"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Omnivore — insects, fish, plants, and bottom detritus"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Rivers, lakes, and ponds of North America; widely farmed"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "10–15 years in the wild (longer in captivity)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "1–25 kg (2–55 lb); farmed fish harvested younger"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Moderate swimmer; ambush predator near cover"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Rivers and lakes of central and eastern North America from southern Canada through the Great Lakes and Mississippi basin to Mexico; widely farmed and stocked elsewhere.",
    "continents": [
      "North America"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "IUCN Red List — Ictalurus punctatus.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Ictalurus%20punctatus&searchType=species"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Ictalurus punctatus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Ictalurus_punctatus/"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/catfish/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/catfish/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}