Ictalurus punctatus

Description:

Channel catfish are easily distinguished from all others, except blue catfish, by their deeply forked tail fin. Coloration is olive-brown to slate-blue on the back and sides, shading to silvery-white on the belly. Typically, numerous small, black spots are present, but may be obscured in large adults. The anal fin has 24-29 soft rays, in contrast to the blue catfish which always has 30 or more rays in the anal fin. Channel catfish have a top-end size of about 40–50 pounds (18–23 kg).

Habitat:

Channel catfish are native to North America east of the Rockies from southern Canada, south into northeastern Mexico, and east of the Appalachians with the exception of much of the coastal plain north of Florida. The species has been widely introduced in other areas as far west as California. Channel catfish are most abundant in large streams with low or moderate current. This one was photographed in a farm pond in east-central Georgia.