Description and characteristics
The wels catfish (Silurus glanis) is the largest freshwater fish in Europe, with a massive, elongated body covered in mucus and scaleless skin. It has a large, broad head with two long and two short barbels, and a mouth with small teeth.
Habitat and distribution
It prefers deep, quiet waters with muddy bottoms and vegetation — lakes, ponds and branches of the Danube Delta. It is a nocturnal predator, hiding in dark areas.
Diet and behaviour
It is an opportunistic and voracious predator, feeding on fish, frogs, crayfish, molluscs, birds and small mammals. It uses its barbels to detect food, being active especially at night.
Reproduction
Spawning occurs in spring at 18–22°C, with the male building a nest where the female lays eggs and he guards them actively. The fry grow quickly, and the catfish can live for decades.
Economic and ecological importance
It has great economic and sport value, sought by anglers for its impressive size. Ecologically, it occupies the top of the freshwater food chain.
Threats and conservation
It is less sensitive than other fish, but affected by pollution, dams and overfishing of large specimens. Protection measures include legal minimum sizes.
Fishing and legal minimum size
The wels catfish is caught with a rod and bottom baits. In the table of minimum legal sizes, the wels catfish (Silurus glanis) has a minimum legal size of 50 cm.
Conclusion
The wels catfish is a predator of impressive size, emblematic of the Danube Delta, important both ecologically and for fishing.