Flathead Catfish
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Name and Code
Family
Ictaluridae - North American catfishes
Species
Pylodictis olivaris
Taxonomic Authority
(Rafinesque 1818)
Common Name(s)
Flathead Catfish
French Name
barbue à tête plate
Species Code
239
Family TSN
163995
Parent TSN
164028
Species TSN
164029
Conservation Status
Global Rank (GRank)
G5 (2016-02-09)
National Rank (NRank)
NNA (2017-12-22)
Provincial Rank (SRank)
SNA (1997-10-02)
COSEWIC Status
Data Deficient (Apr 2008)
SARO Status
Data Deficient
AFS Status
none
Status Notes
none
Ecological Value
Ontario Origin
natural dispersal
General Abundance
rare
Tolerance
tolerant
Economic Importance
none
Length-Weight Regression Coefficents
Intercept (a)
-5.3908
Slope (b)
3.165
Length Basis
TL
Habitat and Feeding
General Habitat(s)
lacustrine; riverine
Environment
benthic
Trophic Class
invertivore/carnivore
Thermal Regime
warmwater
Habitat Preference
shallow areas (<3 m) among rocks or large woody debris in low- to moderate-gradient, small to large rivers, lakes and impoundments; juveniles inhabit shallow riffles with coarse substrates; preferred water temperature range 31.5-33.5°C
Reproduction
Reproductive Guild
Guarders: Nest spawners: Speleophils
Spawning Habitat(s)
riverine
Spawning Season
summer
Spawning Month(s)
June-July
Spawning Temperature (°C)
19-24
Fecundity
4,076-58,792
Nursery Habitat(s)
riverine
Size and Age
Adult Length (cm)
39.0-75.0 TL
Adult Weight (kg)
1.5-4.0
Age at Maturity (yrs)
3-5 (m); 4-6 (f)
Maximum Length (cm)
155 TL
Maximum Weight (kg)
63.45
Lifespan (yrs)
17-34
Ontario Records
Record Length (cm)
101.0 TL
Record Weight (kg)
13.7
Ontario Range Map
Flathead Catfish range
Ontario Distribution
western Lake Erie, Lake St. Clair, lower Thames River; first reported from Ontario waters of Lake Erie in 1978
Photographs
Flathead Catfish photograph
Flathead Catfish photograph
Notes
tolerant of salinity (11 ppt); low tolerance to fluctuating water levels; hybrids with Channel Catfish reported
Information Sources
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