Nearly nine feet long (2.7 meters) and as big as a grizzly bear, the behemoth tipped the scales at 646 pounds (293 kilograms). Experts say the fish, which belongs to the species known as the Mekong giant catfish, may be the largest freshwater fish ever recorded.
What is the largest catfish ever recorded?
Thai fishermen caught a 646-pound catfish believed to have been the world’s largest freshwater fish ever recorded, a researcher said Thursday. The 8.9 foot long Mekong giant catfish was the heaviest recorded fish since Thailand started keeping records in 1981.
What is the biggest fish ever caught in the world?
According to IGFA records, the largest fish ever caught was a great white shark that weighed an unbelievable 2,664 pounds (1,208.389 kg.). Caught off the coast of Ceduna, Australia, in 1959, it took angler Alfred Dean just 50 minutes to win the fight against this one-ton shark.
How old is the oldest catfish?
The catfish weighed in at 736 lbs. Experts say the fish, a Mekong giant catfish, was around 170 years old and never seen in this part of the world. The catfish broke the world record for heaviest fish and oldest fish ever caught.
How old is a 100 pound blue catfish?
Blue Catfish can live for 30 years and fish over 100 pounds have been confirmed in at least eleven states. The current world angling record is a 143-pound monster caught in Virginia’s Buggs Island Lake in 2011.
Why is catfish noodling illegal?
Noodling is fishing for catfish using one’s bare hands, and is practiced primarily in the southern United States. Due to concerns over the safety of noodlers and sustainability of fish populations, the technique is illegal in some states where it was once traditionally practiced.
Can a catfish swallow a human?
No, despite what you may have heard, there aren’t. This is a myth, along with age-old claims that giant anacondas or piranhas eat men. … In October 2008 another large catfish was caught in the Great Kali river, between India and Nepal, and it was claimed to have started eating swimmers.
What is the rarest fish in the world?
Devils Hole pupfish are likely the world’s rarest fish, and their population dropped to 35 in 2013. Researchers have since made a breakthrough in their captive breeding.
Has anyone caught a whale?
This is the best fishing story EVER! Yes, ever. Charlie Dostounis of New Zealand was fishing with friends this past Saturday when he hooked into a killer whale. …
What is the most dangerous fish in the world?
10 of the World’s Most Dangerous Fish
- Candiru. …
- Great White Shark. …
- Moray Eel. …
- Tigerfish. …
- Piranha. …
- Stonefish. Stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa). …
- Atlantic Manta. manta ray moodboard—moodboard/Thinkstock. …
- Electric Eel. electric eel Toni Angermayer/Photo Researchers.
Can a catfish kill you?
In other parts of the world, some catfish do have extremely toxic venoms that can be deadly to humans. … Catfish venom glands are found alongside sharp, bony spines on the edges of the dorsal and pectoral fins, and these spines can be locked into place when the catfish is threatened.
How old is a 25 lb catfish?
Once Flathead Catfish reach about 30 inches (or ~ 75 cm), they begin to develop massive girth. To reach a 25 pound trophy mark, Flathead Catfish have to survive to at least 7 or 8 years.
What water temp do catfish start biting?
Catfish can be caught in cold water but 50 degrees is the benchmark for the big spring bite. From there the bite gets better and better right up until the spawn temperature of around 70 degrees.
What eats a blue catfish?
While adult blue catfish have few natural predators in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, they are among the preferred prey of both osprey and bald eagles. When attacked, blue catfish defend themselves with serrated spinal barbs located on both their dorsal and pectoral fins.
How old is a 50 lb blue catfish?
Individual growth is highly variable in larger fish, and fish in the James are known to reach 50 pounds by age-11, although age 13 – 15 is more typical. For blue catfish ages 1 – 8 in tidal rivers total annual mortality is low (29%).
Are blue catfish poisonous?
Catfish have spines on the dorsal fin and pectoral fines near the head. Anglers often get punctured by these spines when handling catfish. The spines have mild venom, however it is not deadly. Be careful when handling.