Giant catfish
📖 Overview
A marine species often found in estuaries, but rarely enters freshwater. Typically euryhaline . Reported to occasionally ascend into fresh water . Recorded at temperatures ranging from 26-29°C. Feeds mainly on crabs, prawns, mantis shrimps (Squilla species) but also on fishes and mollusks. An important food fish. Marketed mostly fresh; often dried.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Giant catfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Incubates eggs in the mouth. The fry continue to take refuge in the mouths of the male fish for the first 2 months and once they leave, the males start to eat avidly and may consume their own young.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; amphidromous ; depth range 10 - 195 m . Subtropical; 34°N - 34°S, 32°E - 154°E West Pacific: known with certainty from the Red Sea and the northwestern Indian Ocean.
🌿 Ecology
crabs, prawns, mantis shrimps (Squilla species) but also on fishes and mollusks
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
⚠️ Venom Profile
- pain
- oedema
- rare systemic effects
Wound care, analgesia.
References: Compiled from Bhide (2018), Halstead et al. (1988) and family-specific envenomation literature
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Giant catfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 348 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Giant catfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Giant Sea Catfish |
| 🇫🇷French | mâchoiron titan |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | オオサカハマギギ |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | bagre titan |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 24 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for Giant catfish ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.