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Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Ameiurus catus  (Linnaeus, 1758)
Common Names North American White Catfish
Hvid Dværgmalle (Denmark)
Type Locality "Northern part of North America".
Synonym(s) Ictalurus catus, Silurus catus
Pronunciation Ai MEE you russ - cat uss
Etymology Ameiurus: ''curtailed'' refers to the lack of a deep notch in the caudal fin. catus: cat
Down Species Information
Size 950mm or 37.4" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Sometimes confused with the Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. The white catfish has 22-24 anal rays while the channel cat has 25-28. The white catfish is sort of on the cusp, showing characteristics of both Ictalurus and Ameiurus.
Sexing The dorsum of breeding males is a dark gray.
General Remarks Native to the Atlantic drainage systems of the U.S. but now introduced to many other states including California and Nevada.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution North America: Rivers of the Atlantic coastal states of USA from Florida to New York. Trade restricted in Germany (Anl.3 BArtSchV).
North American Atlantic Drainages (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2011.
pH 6.6 - 8.6
Temperature 10.0-23.0°C or 50-73.4°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Very tolerant of brackish water. These fish are often found near deltas where a river meets the sea. The pictured fish was captured in the York River, Virginia just a few miles upstream from the ocean.
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding Omnivorous. Diet includes fish, aquatic inverts and some green matter. User data.
Furniture Sand substrate with logs and stones to provide hiding places.
Compatibility Sociable with anything they can not swallow.
Breeding Not accomplished in the aquarium. Suggest overwintering in a pond. Move the fish indoors to a large tank in the spring. The male will dig a nest and the fish should spawn as the water is gently warmed over a few days to 21C. Since they are sexually mature at six inches, this would be a good candidate for the expert looking to try something new.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Down Further Information
Reference Systema Naturae, Ed. X v. 1, pp 305.
Registered Keepers There are 3 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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There are 2 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2020 Sep 20 01:44 (species record created: 2001 Apr 25 00:00)