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The White Catfish
Scientific name: Ameiurus catus
Other Common Names: Blue cat, fork tailed cat, blue bullhead
Current State Record: 18.9 pounds, caught by Jim Miller, 9/21/91, in the
Withlacoochee River, Marion County, Florida
Florida Range: The Florida Panhandle (Northwest Florida) , east to the St.
Johns River, and south the Everglades Conservation Areas and canals
Description: The sides are typically blue-gray to blue-black, and are
sometimes mottled. When sides are mottled the white is confused with the
bullheads. The tail is moderately forked, but not as severely as the blue or
channel catfish. The head is more blunt and flattened than the blue or channel
catfish. More like the bullheads. The chin barbels are typically white in color,
but sometimes yellowish.
Habitat: Whites typically prefer slow sluggish streams, lakes, and
reservoirs, however, they survive well in farm and urban ponds. They are able to
tolerate more enriched waters than other catfish species, prefer water
temperatures between 80 and 85 degrees, and can survive well in relatively high
salinity waters.
Spawning Habits: Often both the male and female builds the nest, but it is
the male that protects the eggs and fry. A sand or gravel substrate is preferred
for nesting, but vegetation and log-like structure is also utilized. Whites
begin spawning when water temperatures reach 70 degrees, but prefer waters 75 to
80 degrees. Like most other catfish, all of the eggs are deposited at one time.
Feeding Habits: White cats are somewhat cross feeders. Throughout their lives
white cats feed on insects and crustaceans. As they grow older, fish can become
a big part of its diet, and at times whites actively feed on vegetation. They
are opportunistic feeders usually feeding on what is most available.
Palatability: White cats have a firm, mild tasting flesh. Even larger ones, when filleted or cut in fingers are very tasty.
