The Most Popular Type of Catfish, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the type you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 19, 2024 07:40
In the tranquil currents of rivers and the murmur of streams, catfish glide silently, capturing the fascination of many aquatic enthusiasts. Their varied shapes and behaviors contribute to the intrigue, making it vital for hobbyists and researchers alike to understand which types resonate most with people.
This evolving list of popular catfish helps identify what traits make some stand out more than others, directly influenced by your votes. By engaging with our list, you not only feed your curiosity but also contribute to a collective understanding, shaping our awareness of these captivating creatures.
What Is the Most Popular Type of Catfish?
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156votes
Duane Raver · Public domainChannel catfish is the most popular type of catfish, known for its mild and sweet flavor. It's also widely distributed, making it easy to find in most markets.The Channel Catfish is a species of North American freshwater fish, known for its distinctive appearance and popularity among anglers and aquaculturists. It is part of the Ictaluridae family and is one of the most popular type of catfish in the United States.- Scientific Name: Ictalurus punctatus
- Size: Typically 12-24 inches in length, can grow up to 4 feet long
- Weight: Usually 2-10 pounds, can reach up to 50 pounds
- Coloration: Olive-brown to slate blue on the back, fading to silver on the sides with numerous small black spots
- Diet: Omnivorous, feeds on a variety of aquatic organisms like insects, crustaceans, small fish, and plant matter
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241votes
Duane Raver - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Public domainBlue catfish is another popular type of catfish, known for its firm and meaty texture. It's often used in dishes like catfish nuggets or fillets.The Blue Catfish is a type of freshwater catfish known for its distinct blue-gray coloration. It is one of the most popular species of catfish found in North America. This large predatory fish is sought after by anglers for its strong fight and delicious meat. Blue Catfish are native to the Mississippi River Basin but have been introduced into many freshwater systems across the United States.- Average Size: Up to 5 feet long
- Weight Range: Up to 150 pounds
- Color: Blue-gray with a white belly
- Diet: Carnivorous, feeding on fish, insects, and other aquatic organisms
- Habitat: Large rivers, reservoirs, and lakes with deep pools and slow-moving currents
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325votes
Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service · Public domainFlathead catfish is a popular type of catfish that is known for its large size and flaky texture. It's often used in dishes like catfish sandwiches or fried catfish.The Flathead Catfish is a species of catfish that is well-known for its distinctive appearance and behavior. It is one of the most popular types of catfish found in North America. The flathead catfish gets its name from the shape of its head, which is broad and flattened. It has a spiny dorsal fin and a long, slender body. The body coloration varies from light yellow to olive or brown, with a creamy white belly. These catfish are known for their size, strength, and bottom-feeding behavior.- Scientific Name: Pylodictis olivaris
- Weight: Up to 120 pounds (54 kg)
- Length: Up to 5 feet (1.5 meters)
- Lifespan: Average of 12-24 years
- Habitat: Rivers, lakes, and reservoirs
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424votesBullhead catfish is a popular type of catfish that is known for its earthy flavor. It's often used in dishes like catfish chowder or catfish tacos.The Bullhead Catfish is a type of catfish known for its distinctive appearance and behavior. It belongs to the Ictaluridae family and is native to North America. The Bullhead Catfish is small to medium-sized, with various species reaching lengths between 6 to 20 inches. It is characterized by its flattened head, squared-off tail, and sharp spines on its pectoral and dorsal fins. The body coloration of the Bullhead Catfish varies, but it is commonly brown or olive with mottled patterns.
- Family: Ictaluridae
- Origin: North America
- Size: 6 to 20 inches
- Head shape: Flattened
- Tail shape: Squared-off
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510votesWhite catfish is a popular type of catfish that is known for its tender and flaky texture. It's often used in dishes like catfish soup or catfish po'boys.The White Catfish, also known as Ictalurus catus, is a popular species of freshwater catfish. It is found primarily in the eastern United States, particularly along the Atlantic coast and in the Mississippi River basin. This species is highly adaptable and thrives in various aquatic environments.
- Average Size: 10-20 inches
- Weight: Up to 5 pounds
- Color: Gray or olive on top with a white belly
- Diet: Mainly feeds on insects, crustaceans, small fish, and plant matter
- Habitat: Freshwater rivers, lakes, and ponds
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66votesYellow bullhead catfish is a popular type of catfish that is known for its sweet flavor. It's often used in dishes like catfish stew or catfish jambalaya.The Yellow Bullhead Catfish, also known as the Ameiurus natalis, is a species of catfish found in North America. It is a freshwater fish that inhabits slow-moving rivers, lakes, and ponds.
- Average Size: 6 to 10 inches
- Coloration: Yellowish-brown with mottled patterns
- Habitat: Slow-moving rivers, lakes, and ponds
- Diet: Omnivorous - feeds on insects, small fish, mollusks, and plants
- Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
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77votesBlack bullhead catfish is a popular type of catfish that is known for its rich and earthy flavor. It's often used in dishes like catfish gumbo or catfish fritters.The Black Bullhead Catfish is a freshwater fish species belonging to the Ictaluridae family. It is known for its dark black coloration and is native to North America. This catfish species is highly adapted to life in small streams, ponds, and lakes. It is a popular game fish and is sought after by anglers for its strength and fighting ability.
- Scientific Name: Ameiurus melas
- Color: Dark black or dark brown
- Size: Typically reaches 12-16 inches (30-40 cm) in length
- Weight: Can weigh up to 4 pounds (1.8 kg)
- Body Shape: Slender and elongated with a flat head
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810votesTadpole madtom catfish is a popular type of catfish that is known for its delicate and mild flavor. It's often used in dishes like catfish salads or catfish ceviche.The Tadpole Madtom Catfish is a small species of catfish that is native to the eastern United States. It is known for its unique appearance and interesting behavior. The body of the Tadpole Madtom Catfish is elongated and cylindrical, with a flattened head and a wide mouth. It has a mottled brown coloration, with dark spots and stripes along its body. This catfish species is named after its habit of eating tadpoles and other small aquatic animals. It is commonly found in clear, fast-flowing streams and rivers.
- Length: 4-6 inches
- Weight: 0.5-1 ounce
- Lifespan: 2-3 years
- Habitat: Clear, fast-flowing streams and rivers
- Diet: Tadpoles, small aquatic animals
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97votesNorthern madtom catfish is a popular type of catfish that is known for its light and flaky texture. It's often used in dishes like catfish cakes or catfish burgers.The Northern Madtom Catfish is a small species of catfish native to North America. It belongs to the genus Noturus and is known for its unique appearance and behavior.
- Scientific Name: Noturus stigmosus
- Size: Typically grows up to 4-6 inches in length
- Coloration: Dark brown or black body with scattered small dark spots
- Habitat: Freshwater rivers, streams, and creeks
- Distribution: Primarily found in the eastern United States
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108votesSpotted catfish is a popular type of catfish that is known for its tender and flavorful meat. It's often used in dishes like catfish curries or catfish stir-fry.The Spotted Catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) is a popular freshwater fish species known for its distinct spotted pattern. It belongs to the family Pangasiidae and is native to Southeast Asia, particularly in the Mekong River basin. This catfish species has gained popularity worldwide due to its delicious taste and suitability for aquaculture.
- Average length: 100-130 cm
- Weight: up to 44 kg
- Coloration: Spotted pattern with shades of gray, black, and white
- Habitat: Freshwater rivers and lakes
- Diet: Omnivorous - feeds on plankton, insects, crustaceans, and small fish
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Ranking factors for popular type
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Availability and AccessibilityHow easy it is to find the catfish in markets and restaurants.
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Nutritional ValueThe nutritional value of the catfish is also an important factor since people are more health-conscious nowadays.
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CostThe price of the catfish is also essential as people are always looking for great value for their money.
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Cooking versatilityThe adaptability of the catfish to different cooking methods and recipe types is an important factor in determining its popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular type of catfish. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or type is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1990 views
- 194 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each type once every 24 hours. The rank of each type is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular type of catfish
Catfish are a diverse group of freshwater fish that can be found in rivers, lakes, and ponds all over the world. They are known for their whisker-like barbels and their ability to survive in murky waters. In fact, some species of catfish can even breathe air!
When it comes to popularity, the most commonly consumed type of catfish is the channel catfish. This species is native to North America and is often raised in fish farms for commercial purposes. Other popular types of catfish include the blue catfish, flathead catfish, and bullhead catfish.
Whether you're an angler looking for a catch or a foodie looking for a new recipe, learning about the different types of catfish can be a great way to expand your knowledge and experience. So why not take a look at our top catfish polls and see what other people are saying about their favorite types and recipes?
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