🐠 Catfish

The wels catfish, the UK's largest freshwater predator by potential size, introduced originally but now established and specifically stocked in a number of specialist UK fisheries.

Long, scaleless, eel-like body with a huge flattened head and a wide mouth ringed with rows of small teeth. Two long barbels on the upper jaw and four shorter ones on the lower. Mottled brown-green colouring that blends into murky water.

Not native to the UK but now established in a number of specialist stillwater fisheries, particularly in southern England, stocked specifically for catfish angling. Prefers deep water and structure during the day, becoming more active at night.