Catfish is commonly known as pond catfish, also called catfish, belonging to the genus Siluridae and the family Siluridae. It is a ferocious carnivorous fish. It has strong adaptability, lives on the bottom, swims slowly, tolerates low oxygen, and can survive below 1 mg/L. During the day, it rarely moves in the grass or in the caves between rocks, and comes out to forage at dusk or at night. Under natural conditions, the fry stage can feed on rotifers, water fleas, water earthworms and other fry. In the fingerling stage and adult stage, it feeds on bottom fish, shrimps and aquatic insects. Most of the prey are small fish, such as tiger fish, crucian carp, yellow catfish, wheat ear fish, loach, anchovy, etc., and also eat shrimps and aquatic insects. It also feeds in the winter in the north, but the feeding intensity is lower. Artificial breeding, through domestication, can feed on artificially fed animal bait and artificial compound feed.
Catfish is a warm-water fish, with a survival temperature of 0-35℃, an optimal growth temperature of 23-28℃, and a pH value of 7.0-9.0. It mainly inhabits the middle and lower reaches of rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and swamps. It lives in still waters or slow-flowing waters with aquatic plants. The body color varies with the habitat. Generally, the body is brown-gray, the belly is white, and the fins are light in color.
Catfish is a farmed edible fish species with tender and delicious meat, few bones, appetizing, easy to digest, and rich in nutrients. It is usually cooked in soup or braised, and can also be stewed with Chinese medicine. It is a medium-sized economic fish and a major fishing fish.
In addition to being edible, catfish can also be used for medicinal purposes. Meat: sweet and warm; has the effects of nourishing yin, appetizing, diuretic, and lactation. Indications: edema, long-term illness and physical weakness, less milk in postpartum women, and lactation.