Catfish are omnivorous predators that feed on fish, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants. They act as opportunistic scavengers as well as top-line predators.
Channel catfish possess many taste buds on their barbels, which help them locate food when in muddy water or an area with dense vegetation. Furthermore, their olfactory system assists them in detecting prey items.
Fish
Catfish are voracious omnivores that feed on almost anything. Although they can be found around the world, some varieties tend to stay in certain areas. Catfish range in size from several inches up to several feet. Their primary diet consists of smaller fish and water insects but they will also eat algae, plants, and even other fish species.
They possess a special defense mechanism that enables them to defend themselves from other fishes. When a predator approaches, these fish will play dead and retreat into shallower waters until it is safe for them to move around again.
Young catfish (less than 4 inches in length) primarily feed on aquatic insect larvae and their pupae, which provide them with high amounts of protein and fat. As these young fish are growing rapidly during their early lives, it is essential for them to eat a lot of this food to maintain growth.
As they develop, catfish begin to feed on larger insects, small fish, and plant seeds. While these items may not be as important for smaller catfish, their nutritional needs become increasingly important as they mature.
Catfish also feed on detritus that accumulates at the bottom of their waters, such as animal remains, algae, phytoplankton, and other microorganisms.
What Do Catfish Eat From Crustaceans?
Crustaceans belong to the class of shellfish and can be divided into three main categories: gastropods (one shell); bivalves (hinged shells); and cephalopods (no shell). Gastropods include snails, clams, oysters, and squid; while bivalves consist of mussels, prawns, lobsters, etc..
Mollusks, on the other hand, are marine crustaceans with hard outer shells to protect them from predators. There is a wide variety of mollusks to choose from such as lobsters and shrimp.
These creatures possess segmented bodies and occasionally shed their shells through molting to grow larger. This helps maintain their health.
Crustaceans come in many varieties, but lobsters, shrimp, and crabs are three of the most common. Lobsters live in warm waters with large claws for grabbing food while shrimp can be found in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
Some crustaceans are edible, though most are not. Their meat tends to be white with connective tissue that’s not as tender as fish. Still, this meat provides a good source of protein and can be used in delicious recipes.
Crustaceans have an interesting feature: they possess an exoskeleton. This helps them stay alive when submerged in water and gives them their characteristic shine when cooked.
Insects
Catfish are omnivorous creatures, meaning that they consume both plant and animal matter. They feed on dead fish, worms, small insects, and other types of debris in the water. Furthermore, catfish also ingest their own or other people’s feces (coprophagy). This natural behavior helps keep catfish aquariums clean (Rumbos et al., 2021).
When it comes to replacing FM in aquaculture feed, some of the primary insect species used include black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), silkworms (SPM), housefly maggot meal, and mealworms. These can be mass-produced industrially in large numbers, providing sustainable protein sources for aquatic animal nutrition.
However, using insect meals to replace FM in fish diets has some drawbacks. Their calcium and phosphorus contents are much lower than those of FM, potentially impacting their nutritional value. Furthermore, insect meals lack n-3 LC-PUFA (eicosapentaenoic acid 20:5n-3 and docosahexaenoic acid 22:6n-3), which could limit their use as oil sources in aquafeeds.
Contrastingly, black soldier fly larvae and silkworms contain a higher crude protein (CP) content. Additionally, these organisms possess an improved amino acid profile with higher levels of threonine and tryptophan than FM, making them more digestible than FM.
In addition to protein, insects are abundant in lipids and fats. They contain n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PFA), such as linoleic and gamma-linolenic acid, with a lower proportion of n-3 LC-PUFA than FM. Furthermore, insects contain less n-6 PFA than fish oil which limits their use as an oil source in marine fish diets (Gasco et al., 2020; Hawkey et al., 2021; van Huis, 2020).
Plants
Catfish are omnivorous animals that consume a wide range of food items. While they prefer diets high in protein, catfish also incorporate plant matter into their meals.
Catfish typically feed on aquatic grasses, ferns, and mosses. These easy-to-grow plants come in a range of colors, shapes, and sizes; plus they help prevent algae buildup and keep your aquarium water clear.
Java Fern: This plant is ideal for most tanks due to its ease of care and rapid growth rate. To encourage healthy foliage, it should be pruned back regularly.
Anubias Nana: This plant is ideal for most tanks due to its low maintenance requirements and attractive dark green leaves. Not only does it provide your fish with a beautiful backdrop, but its small leaves and lush green color also make for an eye-catching backdrop.
Micro Sword Grass: This dense grass provides an ideal hiding place for Cory catfish. It is often used as a carpet at the bottom of tanks as well.
This fast-growing plant can reach a height of approximately one foot. As it spreads so rapidly, you will want to trim it regularly in order to prevent an out-of-control situation.
Parrot Feather: This fan-shaped plant is a popular choice among many aquarium owners. Its soft, edible leaves offer your fish an enjoyable treat in their aquarium.