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Channel Catfish
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(Ictalurus punctatus) |
Channel catfish are the most common of the freshwater catfish and are identified by distinctive forked tails and dark spots scattered around their slender body. Channel catfish, just like all other species of "cats", have the characteristic long barbels (commonly called whiskers or feelers) around the mouth that help them to locate food. The channel cat is equipped with an anal fin, consisting of 24 to 29 rays.Channel catfish come in a variety of colors, depending on location and environmental conditions. One common coloring is gray or grayish-brown on top with dark brown and/or dark green dorsal fins. Some "cats" include pale blue and pale olive with a slightly silver tint. Side colors can range from yellows to greens to white and there are even albino channel catfish that are white or cream colored with pink eyes. Spawning for these channel catfish begins in late spring. The males develop muscle pads on their heads, while their bodies change color. Both males and females will seek out well-hidden places such as undercut banks, rock ledges and hollow logs for building nests. The male channel cat is in charge of guarding the nest.
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