The Life of Animals | Catfish | Extant catfish species live in inland or coastal waters of every continent except Antarctica. Catfish have inhabited all continents at one time or another. Catfish are most diverse in tropical South America, Africa, and Asia. More than half of all catfish species live in the Americas. Numerous species from the families Ariidae and Plotosidae, and A Few Among the species from Aspredinidae and Bagridae, are found in salt water
Catfish have one of the greatest ranges in size within a single order of bony fish. Many catfish have a maximum length of under 12 cm Some of the smallest species of Aspredinidae and Trichomycteridae reach sexual maturity at only one centimetre (0:39 in) The Wels catfish, Silurus glanis, is the only native catfish species of Europe, besides the much Smaller related Aristotle's catfish found in Greece. Mythology and literature record Wels catfish of astounding proportions, yet to be proven scientifically.
The largest Ictalurus furcatus, caught in the Missouri River on July 20, 2010, weighed 130 pounds (59 kg). The largest flathead catfish, Pylodictis olivaris, ever caught was in Independence, Kansas, Weighing 123 lb 9 oz (56.0 kg). In July 2009, a catfish Weighing 193 pounds was caught in the River Ebro, Spain, by an 11-year old British Schoolgirl. The Mekong giant catfish are not well studied since They Live in developing countries is quite possible and it can grow That They While the vast majority of the catfish are harmless to Humans, A Few species are known to present some risk.
The Wels catfish has also been reputed to kill Humans (ESPECIALLY young children), and while there are no documented cases of fatalities, larger specimens are known to cause serious injuries in rare instances.