Scientific Name
Silurus glanis

Common Name
Wels catfish

Biology
Inhabits large and medium size lowland rivers, backwaters and well vegetated lakes. Occurs mainly in large lakes and rivers, though occasionally enters brackish water in the Baltic and Black Seas. Found in deep waters of dams constructed on the lower reaches of rivers. A nocturnal predator, foraging near bottom and in water column. Larvae and juveniles are benthic, feeding on a wide variety of invertebrates and fish. Adults prey on fish and other aquatic vertebrates. Attains first sexual maturity at 2-3 years of age. Spawns in the salt water of the Aral Sea . Marketed fresh, canned and frozen; can be pan-fried and baked. Locally threatened due to river regulation destroying shallow spawning sites.

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

Sheatfishes (Siluridae)

Distribution

Region

Europe and Asia. North, Baltic, Black, Caspian and Aral Sea basins, as far north as southern Sweden and Finland; Aegean Sea basin in Maritza and from Struma to Sperchios drainages; Turkey. Absent from the rest of Mediterranean basin. Now widely introduced and translocated throught Europe and Lake Balkhash basin in Kazakhstan. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction. In Appendix III of the Bern Convention (protected fauna).

Distribution

Range

62°N - 36°N, 0°E - 80°E

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

4 °C

Water Temperature To

20 °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

30 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; non-migratory; depth range 0 - 30 m

Trophic Level

4.37 s.e. 0.67 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

500 cm

Common Length

300 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Very high vulnerability (87 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=3-4; tmax=30)

Threat To Humans

Potential pest

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)