Catfish | Types of Catfish | Catfish farming | 2023 Best Top 3 Catfish restaurants

ABOUT CATFISH

A Catfish is a diverse group of ray-finned fish. The name catfish is due to their probable, Which resembles cats’ whiskers. These fishes are carnivores which means meat eaters. They mostly fed on worms, frogs, and newts. Catfishes are bottom dwellers. These fishes are of both types of freshwater as well as saline which is salt water.

Catfish farming in the U.S. and Europe is quite popular due to its availability. In this blog, we will mainly provide information about catfish, the types of catfish available in the U.S., and catfish farming.

These fishes weigh around 18-23kg in their adulthood. The size of the catfish is around 57cm{22 inches}with the longest size recorded which is a maximum of 132cm{52 inches}. Catfish farming in the U.S. and Europe is quite popular due to its availability. The scientific name of catfish is Siluriformes which comes {under animilia}, Phylum{chordata}.

TYPES OF CATFISH AND INFORMATION

There are many species of catfish some of them are as follows

FLATHEAD CATFISH (Yellow Cat)

They are yellow to light brown in colour. The name flathead catfish itself gives the information that it has flathead than any other catfish. Flathead catfish have many names such as mudcat or shovelhead catfish which is the largest species in North American freshwater in lacturidae family. The scientific name of the flathead catfish is {Pylodictis Olivaris} which includes the phylum Chordata, kingdom Animalia, class Actinopterygii, Family Ictaluridae, Genus pylodictis Rafinesque, 1819.

The size of the flathead catfish is 3 inches in the first year and 15 to 45 inches in adulthood which weighs around 1to45 to pounds. Some can grow up to 70 pounds at their maximum weight. These catfishes are mostly found in Bartlett lake, Medina lake, Lake of the Ozarks, and more. These catfish generally feed upon bass, bream shad, and crayfish.

WELS CATFISH (Sheatfish)

The wels catfish is also called sheatfish or just wels. This species is the largest one of all the catfish native to wide areas of central, southern, and eastern Europe, found in the Baltic black and Caspian sea. It is a freshwater fish. It has a broad flat head and wide mouth. The life span of this fish is nearly 50 years. It belongs to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Actinopterygii, family Siluridae, Genus silurus.

These catfishes are also used for food in which only young catfish specimens are valued for food. It weighs around 15 to 20 kg {34-44 lbs} and size around 1.3- 1.6m in adulthood in most rare cases it is longer than 2m. These catfish generally feed upon annelid worms, gastropods, insects, crustaceans, and fish.

BULLHEAD CATFISH (Ameiurus)

Like all other catfish bullhead catfish itself shows its specifications by having a flatter tail with only a slight indent. They are dark green to brown on the upper side and light colour red on the underside. They have four barbels {whiskers} on the underside of the jaw and are blackish. Bullhead catfish have the ability to thrive in waters that are low in oxygen, brackish turbid, and very warm.

The scientific name of this catfish is {Ameirus melas}. It belongs to the family Ictalurids, phylum Chordata, kingdom Animalia, and genus Ameirus class {Aclinopterygrill}. These species are mostly found in the eastern portion of the North American continental divide, from their westernmost point in the central volcanoes, south to Texas, in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast. Bullhead catfish generally feed upon scavengers, minnows, snails, shrimp, and crayfish.

GOONCH CATFISH (Bagarius yarrelli)

Goonch catfish which are also known as Begarius yarrelli are very large in size due and they are also called giant devilfish. We can also say that this is the largest species in the world among catfish. These fishes are found in the Indian subcontinent. These species belong to phylum Chordata, kingdom Animalia, family sisoridae , class Aclinopterygii, and genus Begarius.

These fishes reach up to 2m {6.6ft} in length and weigh around 200 pounds in adulthood. These catfish lives in India, Nepal, and other east Asian and south Asian countries. These catfish generally feed upon a natural diet that includes smaller fishes, crustaceans, amphibians, and various species of invertebrates.

BLUE CATFISH (Ictalurus furcatus)

Blue catfish have a scientific name as Ictalurus furcatus. Can grow to more than 100 pounds. Blue catfish can be found in the waters of many states of the U.S. It is the largest species in North America. These species belong to phylum Chordata, kingdom Animalia, family Ictaluridae, class Aclinopterygii, and genus Ictalurus.

Blue catfish are heavy-bodied and have a dorsal hump. They are blueish-gray or silvery-blue in color with a white belly having four pairs of black whisker-like barbels around their mouths.

REDTAIL CATFISH

The redtail catfish is found only in freshwater and inhabits larger rivers, streams, and lakes. They are mostly observed in the Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo river basins of South America, in Ecuador, Venezuela, Guyana, Colombia, Peru, Suriname, Bolivia, and Brazil.

In Venezuelan, they are called cajaro. And in Brazil, redtail catfish are known as Pirarara. These species belong to phylum Chordata, kingdom Animalia, family Pimelodidae, class Aclinopterygii, and genus Phractocephalus.

PRESENCE OF MERCURY IN CATFISH

Fish which is one of the most healthy foods to consume contains a high amount of mercury nowadays which is harmful to humans because mercury is the most poisonous metal if consumed affecting directly our nervous system [neurotoxin] in nature. It includes the species like swordfish, tuna fish, marlin, and more. In fishes, mercury levels are measured as parts per million [PPM] with catfish being the lowest on average which is of levels at 0.025 [PPM] as per USFDA 1991-2010

CATFISH FARMING

The catfishes that are abundantly raised in the U.S. farms are harvested in seines (large weighted nets) at about 18 months old and averaging about 1 to 1.5 pounds. Catfish farming in the U.S. is quite popular due to its availability. The baskets are loaded and then placed in aerated tank trucks for live shipments to processing plants. The cat then are kept alive until the minute they are processed.

The procedure of catfish farming can be described in a few steps. The first step is to identify and separate the sexes, the second step is to select and check for a gravid female (i.e female with riped eggs), and the third step is to weigh the female fish. The fourth step is to prepare female catfish for Injection, and the last step is to isolate the injected fish in a comfortable big bowl and wait for 10 to 12 hours.

At the initial stage of raising the catfish, we must have secure finance after that acquire flat land for the pond, construct the pond also plant the grass seeds around the pond, necessary to help prevent erosion, and last but not least fill the feedings of the catfish in the pond which is the fingerlings catfish feed.

Catfish is rich in most nutritious varieties like high % of omega-3 fatty acid content, vitamin B-12, magnesium, and protein. Tilapia and catfish can be farmed together in a mixed fishing set-up, which reduces the feed cost and management.

All these factors make catfish farming preferred.

Catfish farming in India

Thai Mangur (African Catfish)

It is illegal to farm some catfish in India as this variety poses a threat to the indigenous species and can alter the ecosystem unfavorably due to its cannibalistic instincts. Thai Mangur (African Catfish) is a catfish that was banned in 2000 by the NGT (National Green Tribunal) because it was harming our local ecosystem and the consumers’ health.

Based on research and study, the Thai Mangur is responsible for the 70% decline of native fish species in India. Thai Mangur grows rapidly in any type of water and feeds on other aquatic insects, and small fish, harming the ecology of the ponds.

Catfish Nutrition facts – Healthy benefits of Catfish

Catfish has valuable nutritional properties that make it ideal for a balanced diet. It is low in calories. Catfish only has about 105 calories but it is a rich source of proteins.
Calories: 105.
Fat: 2.9 grams.
Protein: 18 grams.
Sodium: 50 mg.
Vitamin B12: 121% of the Daily Value (DV)
Selenium: 26% of the DV.
Phosphorus: 24% of the DV.
Thiamine: 15% of the DV

Catfish restaurant

Catfish have valuable nutritional properties. Seafood provides vital nutrients which are essential for health and wellness for all age groups, including omega-3 fatty acids, iron, Vitamins like B and D vitamins, and proteins. Fish supply the nutrients, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for strong bones, brain development, and a healthy heart and immune system. Fish and other seafood are the most important food furnishing about 15 percent of the world population’s protein intake.

2023 Best Top 4 restaurants in the US for Catfish

David’s Catfish House

Headquarters is at Monroeville, Alabama

Original Locations in the US

1. Daphne, AL in southwest Alabama USA, Contact No. (251) 308-5890
2. Monroeville, AL Contact No (251) 575-3460
3. Spanish Fort, AL in the southwest region of Alabama USA Contact No. (251) 930-1252
4. Thomasville AL Contact No. (334) 637-0677

David’s Catfish house has a wonderful staff ready to serve you in the classic Southern Charming David’s Catfish Tradition.

David’s Catfish House provides customers with an authentic and pleasant dining experience. The selection of delicious, fresh seafood brings those southern flavors you crave to the table in the most exciting and satisfying ways. From deliciously famous catfish to unbeatable coleslaw, the options are endless.

David’s Catfish House serves shrimp, crab claws, and oysters purchased from Alabama’s Seafood Capital, Bayou La Batre.

David’s Catfish Restaurant provides a guarantee that whatever you try will leave you craving more. Another thing that sets us apart from other seafood restaurants in the area is their unique specials. They proudly offer unique specials throughout the week that no one won’t wants to miss out on!

Catfish Heaven

Catfish Heaven restaurant, at 2502 21st street in Tuscaloosa, is located in the Historic West End only a few minutes from the University of Alabama. The Catfish heaven restaurant’s primary focus and only items were whitening fish, catfish fillets, and catfish nuggets, and the restaurant was named Catfish Heaven.

Catfish Heaven also provides delicious seafood and is very famous for its test of Catfish dishes and services.

Catfish Deweys

Catfish Deweys is a full-service family-owned and operated restaurant established in 1984 at Oakland Park, Florida. They are dedicated to offering the finest seafood available for the best value.

Catfish Deweys is famous in Florida for delicious seafood and a variety of Catfish dishes.

Jumpin Catfish

Jumpin Catfish was started in 1986. Jumpin Catfish restaurant is also famous for its test. Jumpin Catfish is situated at two locations namely

Olathe – 1861 S Ridgeview Rd, Olathe, KS 66062, USA and

Lee’s Summit – 834 SW Blue Pkwy, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063, USA
Olathe is the county seat of Johnson County, Kansas, United States. It is the fourth-most populous city in both the Kansas City metropolitan area and the state of Kansas.

Jumpin Catfish was Voted as Best Catfish in the Area (“The Squire”,1992). Jumpin Catfish was also Awarded by “Zagat,” “The Star,” “Local Eats,” and “Rural Missouri”.

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