# Flathead Catfish (*Pylodictis olivaris*) The Flathead Catfish is a unique fish with a flat head. It's known for its size and is a favorite among fishermen! - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Rivers and lakes - **Also known as:** Paddlefish, Yellow Catfish ![Flathead Catfish](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426078/objects/4681.jpg) ## Appearance The Flathead Catfish has a distinctively wide, flattened head and a protruding lower jaw. Its body is mottled brown, yellow, and olive, providing excellent camouflage, and it lacks scales, possessing smooth, tough skin instead. Unlike other catfish, its tail is only slightly forked. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Actinopteri - **Order:** Siluriformes - **Family:** Ictaluridae - **Genus:** Pylodictis ## Interesting facts - Flathead Catfish do not have scales, but rather tough, smooth skin! - Their super-wide, flat head helps them wedge into tight spots to hide! - They are powerful predators, often eating fish nearly half their own size! - Unlike other catfish, young Flatheads often swim together in big schools! ## Special abilities - **Whisker-Sense Locator:** Flathead Catfish have sensitive barbels (whiskers) that help them taste and feel for prey in dark, murky water. - **Camouflage Cloak:** Flathead Catfish can change their mottled skin color to blend perfectly with muddy riverbeds, hiding from prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-150 cm - **Weight:** 1-50 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-20 years - **Swim Speed:** 8 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 20 m - **Water Type:** Freshwater ## Diet & Feeding These nocturnal hunters gobble up other fish, crayfish, and insects from river bottoms! - **Age differences:** Young Flathead Catfish primarily eat insects and crustaceans, while adults transition to preying on larger fish. - **Primary Foods:** fish, crayfish, aquatic insects, frogs - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Bluegill](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bluegill) (*Lepomis macrochirus*) — A common prey item for larger Flathead Catfish. - **Eats:** Red Swamp Crayfish (*Procambarus clarkii*) — A frequent part of the Flathead's diet. - **Eaten by:** [Bald Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bald-eagle) (*Haliaeetus leucocephalus*) — Bald eagles may prey on smaller, juvenile Flathead Catfish. - **Eaten by:** [North American River Otter](https://www.snappit.app/explore/north-american-river-otter) (*Lontra canadensis*) — River otters can catch and eat smaller Flathead Catfish. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Flathead Catfish? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Flathead Catfish? 30-150 cm ### How much does Flathead Catfish weigh? 1-50 kg ### How long does Flathead Catfish live? 5-20 years ### What does Flathead Catfish eat? These nocturnal hunters gobble up other fish, crayfish, and insects from river bottoms! ### How fast can Flathead Catfish swim? 8 km/h ### Where is Flathead Catfish usually found? Rivers and lakes ### How does Flathead Catfish hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Florida Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/florida-aquarium) — Florida, US · Aquarium - [Oklahoma Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/oklahoma-aquarium) — Oklahoma, US · Zoo - [Tennessee Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tennessee-aquarium) — Tennessee, US · Zoo - [St. Mary's Catholic Church](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/st-marys-catholic-church) — Iowa, US · Historic Site - [Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/natchitoches-national-fish-hatchery-louisiana) — Louisiana, US · Zoo - [Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/natchitoches-national-fish-hatchery) — Louisiana, US · Aquarium [View all places to see Flathead Catfish](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/flathead-catfish) ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Flathead Catfish: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/flathead-catfish)