June 23rd, 2023
National Catfish Day
National Catfish Day was established on June 25, 1987, to celebrate the value of farm-raised catfish. President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation after the U.S. Congress called for the day to be established in House Joint Resolution 178.
Growing up near the Ohio River, many fishing enthusiasts have caught their share of catfish. Many have also eaten their share.
Catfish are interesting creatures, named for their whisker-like barbels, which resemble cat whiskers. So, in celebration of National Catfish Day, I thought it would be fun to learn more about catfish. Here are some interesting and fun facts pertaining to catfish you may or may not know:
- Catfish are found on every continent except Antarctica;
- There are about 3,000 species of catfish;
- Channel, Flathead and Blue Catfish are the most common species found in the Ohio River;
- In the Southern United States, catfish may be called mud cats, polliwogs or chuckleheads;
- The three largest species of catfish are the Mekong Giant Catfish, the Wels Catfish and the Piraiba Catfish;
- The size of the catfish depends on the species and its environment;
- The most common types of catfish eaten are Blue Catfish and Channel Catfish;
- Catfish are largely nocturnal;
- Farm raised catfish are taught to eat feed pellets that float on top of the water; and wild catfish are bottom feeders;
- Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Arkansas account for about 95% of the farm raised catfish;
- Catfish have over 100,000 taste buds all over their bodies;
- Catfish do not have scales;
- Catching catfish with your bare hands is called Noodling; and
- Catfish are high in protein and vitamin D.
Happy National Catfish Day!
;)
