Fishing Tips

Are Catfish Bottom Feeders? Yes, They are!

by Jason Hill on Mar 05, 2025

So are catfish bottom feeders? The answer is yes. With tactile barbels and an opportunistic diet, catfish live in the muddy bottoms of many water bodies. This guide will untangle the truth about catfish behavior, how they forage, and what it tells us about their role in aquatic ecosystems. Dive in to find out the how and why of their bottom feeding.

Key Takeaways: Are Catfish Bottom Feeders?

Catfish are not strictly bottom feeders; they adjust their feeding behavior to the time of day and feed closer to the surface at night, unlike some nocturnal fish. Catfish have special features, barbels, and expandable mouths that help them live in many habitats and opportunistic feeding habits, such as detritus, algae, smaller fish, and dead animals. Fishing for catfish requires special techniques, a bottom fishing rig, and bait. The best times to fish are early morning or late night when catfish are most active. Catfish, with their whisker-like barbels and scaleless bodies, are often called the ultimate bottom feeders. But they feed near the bottom, not exclusively bottom-feeder fish. Do they spend their days in mud or hidden in underwater structures? Yes. But at night, they show a versatility that sets them apart from other bottom feeders, feeding closer to the surface. So, what makes them thrive in these many habitats? Let’s start by looking at the anatomy of a catfish.

Catfish Anatomy

Feeder Fish

Take a look at a catfish, and you'll see:

An expandable mouth to gulp food without incisor teeth
Up to four pairs of barbels around their mouth, like whiskers, to detect food in the water
Small eyes rely on chemoreception, not visuals.
A cylindrical body with a flattened ventrum and head helps in bottom feeding and navigating their benthic environment.

So we've seen their anatomy supports their bottom feeding, but what do they eat?

Catfish Feeding

Catfish diet is as diverse as the waters they live in. As nocturnal fish, they are opportunistic feeders; they get food from every nook and cranny of their environment. Their diet includes:

Algae
Detritus
Smaller fish
Dead animals

Catfish are also nocturnal. They use their sensory organs to ‘taste’ their environment and locate prey at night when they eat and are most active. With such varied feeding habits, it’s no wonder that catfish species that prey on feeder fish can be found in many habitats.

What are Catfish?

Definition and Physical Characteristics

Catfish are a diverse group of ray-finned fish named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat’s whiskers. These fascinating creatures range in size from the massive Mekong giant catfish, which can grow to extraordinary lengths, to the tiny parasitic species like Vandellia cirrhosa. One of the most distinctive features of catfish is their lack of scales. Instead, they may have armor-like plates or be completely naked. Not all catfish sport the iconic whiskers; however, members of the Siluriformes order are defined by unique features of their skull and swimbladder, setting them apart from other fish species.

Catfish Species and Their Habitats

Bottom Feeder Fish

Catfish species can be found in:

Muddy waters
Underwater structures
Where rivers meet larger bodies of water
River bends

Catfish are skilled at finding the best spot to feed and spawn. They are also popular bottom dwelling fish due to their adaptability and unique behaviors. While they are similar to other fish species, each species has unique characteristics. Let’s look at a few catfish species and their habitats.

Channel Catfish

The channel catfish is the most common fish in America. It is also a popular bottom dwelling fish, known for its adaptability and widespread presence. It was the first species to be farmed for aquaculture in the US. The channel catfish is an opportunistic omnivore that will eat anything that can fit in its mouth. (And it has a big mouth!) Anglers have caught channel cats with Spam, hot dogs, bacon, shrimp, and bars of Ivory Soap. Seriously, we aren’t making this up. They’ll eat all kinds of fish, including smaller catfish. Frogs, clams, and other mollusks, as well as crayfish, crustaceans, and even small mammals, are all fair game for a channel catfish– not just things they find on the bottom! Channel Catfish Facts

Scientific Name: Ictalurus punctatus
Normal Length: 12-24 inches
Normal Weight: 1-15 pounds
Maximum Length: 40 inches
Maximum Weight: 58 pounds
Native Waters: North America
Diet: Omnivorous; feeds on fish, insects, crustaceans, plants, and algae

Blue Catfish

The blue catfish is the largest catfish species in American waters and can grow to a trophy size of over 100 pounds. It is also a popular bottom dwelling fish, known for its impressive size and adaptability. This opportunistic carnivore can live in brackish and freshwater and has been stocked in many lakes and rivers in the US because people love to fish for it. Younger blue catfish stay close to the bottom, while adult blue catfish feed in the middle of the water column. Adult blues have very few predators in the water, so they don’t need to hide as much as younger fish. Their size means they have a wider range of prey, which is another reason they will rise in the water column. But feeding isn’t the only reason a fish will position itself in the water. Catfish are more comfortable on the bottom on hot or extremely sunny days. They don’t like warm temperatures, so the shallower the water, the deeper they will go to stay cool and comfortable. Blue Catfish Facts

Scientific Name: Ictalurus furcatus
Normal Length: 20-40 inches
Normal Weight: 3-40 pounds
Maximum Length: 65 inches
Maximum Weight: 143 pounds
Native Waters: Eastern US
Diet: Carnivorous; feeds on fish, insects, invertebrates and other aquatic organisms

Flathead Catfish

The flathead catfish is the second largest species of catfish and has been introduced to waters across North America. It is a popular bottom dwelling fish known for its size and predatory nature. Flatheads are also known as shovelheads, yellow cats, mudcats, and granny cats. They are voracious carnivores and virtually only eat live prey. Individuals over 10 inches long will eat almost exclusively other fish, including smaller flathead catfish. Other fish like drum, sunfish, small carp, gizzard shad, and other catfish species are part of the flathead’s diet. Since flatheads have such a wide diet, they can be found feeding anywhere in the water. Flathead catfish like sandy bottoms and are often found in deep pools. But they are highly opportunistic feeders and will respond to live bait almost anywhere in the water column. Flathead Catfish Facts

Scientific Name: Pylodictis Olivares
Normal Length: 12-24 inches
Normal Weight: 1-25 pounds
Maximum Length: 69 inches
Maximum Weight: 139 pounds
Native Waters: Central and Eastern US
Diet: Carnivorous; feeds on fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and other aquatic organisms

Bullhead Catfish

Bullhead catfish, though smaller in size compared to some of their larger relatives, are a favorite among anglers. Found in the mud-bottom backwaters of lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers, these feisty fish are known for their strong fighting ability and delicious flavor. Anglers across North America often target bullhead catfish, appreciating both the challenge they present and the tasty reward they offer.

Bullhead Catfish Facts

Scientific Name: Ameiurus spp. (includes Black Bullhead Ameiurus melas, Brown Bullhead Ameiurus nebulosus, and Yellow Bullhead Ameiurus natalis)
Normal Length Range: 8-14 inches
Normal Weight Range: 1-4 pounds
Maximum Length: 20 inches
Maximum Weight: 8 pounds
Native Waters: North America; found in lakes, ponds, rivers, and slow-moving streams
Diet: Omnivorous; feeds on insects, small fish, crustaceans, plant matter, and detritus

White Catfish

The white catfish is the least popular of the four American game catfish, but that doesn't mean it's any less interesting or fun to pursue. Of the four species, the white catfish is the only one that scavenges. It's the only one that's a true bottom-feeder fish. You'll rarely find this species in moving water or clear lakes; they love muddy, sandy river bottoms where they can hide. The white catfish is a sneaky, wary fish that's often most active at night; if you're after this species during the day, you'll need to present your bait low in the water to get their attention. White Catfish Facts

Scientific Name: Ameiurus catus
Normal Length Range: 12-24 inches
Normal Weight Range: 1-5 pounds
Maximum Length: 30 inches
Maximum Weight: 20 pounds
Native Waters: Eastern United States
Diet: Omnivorous; feeds on fish, insects, crustaceans, plants, and other organic matter

How Do Catfish Compare to Other Bottom Feeding Fish?

Elongated Barbels

Compared to other bottom feeders, catfish have some similarities, like downward-facing mouths and sensory barbels, but they also have some unique traits. For instance, their size varies greatly, from 15-24 inches to 54 inches long, and 58 pounds to as much as the other bottom feeders. They also move vertically in the water column for feeding, spawning, or seeking shelter. Let's look at a few species to see how catfish compare to other bottom feeders.

Corydoras Catfish

Corydoras catfish, also known as ‘Cories' or ‘Cory Cats,' are social fish. They should be kept in groups, whereas some catfish are solitary. These active fish often form schools in the wild and aquariums, a behavior uncommon in more solitary catfish species. While corydoras are omnivorous, they need more vegetables than other catfish.

Botia Loaches

Botia loaches are bottom dwellers that scavenge for food like catfish. They feed on leftover food, snails, and small invertebrates. Unlike catfish, which have a broader diet, Botia loaches target snails in their scavenging behavior. They also have a complex social hierarchy within their groups. They will harass other species, a behavior not common in catfish.

Plecos

Plecos are another bottom-feeding fish that eat algae. Their specialized round mouths allow them to scrape algae off surfaces, a trait that's different from that of catfish. Now that we've seen the world of catfish and other bottom feeders let's get ready and cast our lines. Let's dive into some techniques and tips for fishing catfish.

Fishing for Catfish: Techniques and Tips

Are Catfish Bottom Feeders

Fishing for catfish can be fun, considering their varied habitats and feeding habits. Anglers use different techniques to lure these bottom dwellers to the hook, from using different types of rigs to choosing the right baits.

Bottom Fishing Rigs

When fishing for catfish, the type of rig used can make a big difference; here are some:

Slip sinker rig: This rig allows the weight to slide and provides better bite detection.
Three-way rig: This rig has a three-way swivel that separates weight from bait, has better presentation, and has fewer tangles.
Carolina rig: This rig keeps the bait just above the bottom, making it more visible and enticing to catfish.

Try these out and see which one works for you and gets you more catfish.

Bait Selection

Find Food

Choosing the right bait is just as important when fishing for catfish. Nightcrawlers are live bait of choice for all sizes of catfish, especially channel catfish. Live baits like bluegills are very effective for giant catfish like flatheads. Stinkbaits, chicken livers, gizzard shad, and shrimp have their place in a catfish angler's tackle box, offering many options to lure these tasty fish to your line.

Location and Timing

The old saying “timing is everything” is especially true when fishing for catfish. The best times to cast are early morning or late evening into the night when catfish are most active. As for location, catfish feed in areas with structures like submerged logs, rock piles, and deep holes. They can be found at night in shallower areas like flats, bars, points, and along shorelines. Now that we've mastered our techniques, let's move on to something just as fun—catfish cuisine for those who only fish for catfish!

Catfish Cuisine: Tasting and Cooking Tips

Fried Catfish

If you've ever wondered if bottom-feeding fish like catfish can taste good, you're in for a treat. Catfish can be a real culinary treat when cleaned, prepared, and cooked, whether deep-fried Southern style or grilled with a squeeze of lemon butter. Catfish is a flavor all its own and can be a great addition to any meal. So, how do we get our catch to taste as good as possible?

Busting Catfish Taste Myths

Many myths surround the taste of catfish, mainly because they are bottom feeders. However, the taste of catfish is more influenced by the water quality and environment in which they are caught than by their bottom feeding habits. Proper handling, including bleeding, gutting, and cooling after catch, can greatly improve the flavor of catfish.

Cooking Techniques and Recipes

There are many ways to cook catfish. Each method gives a different flavor profile: deep frying, grilling, baking, pan frying, and blackening. Here are some options:

Deep frying catfish Southern style for a mild, sweet flavor and dense texture
Grilling catfish with lemon butter for a smoky flavor
Baking catfish with lemon, garlic, cilantro, and butter for a healthier option
Pan-frying catfish in butter and seasoned cornmeal for a crispy outside and moist inside
Blackening catfish for a spicy flavor

So now that we've caught and cooked our catfish to perfection, what if we want to keep a catfish not for food but for companionship?

Aquarium Care for Catfish

Keeping catfish in an aquarium can be fun. These amazing creatures can live in a home aquarium with the right tank setup, water quality, and care. From choosing the right tank mates to feeding a balanced diet, let's go over how to set up the perfect environment for your catfish.

Tank Setup and Water Quality

First things first, you'll need a suitable aquarium for your catfish. Here are the key things to consider when setting up the tank:

The tank size should be big enough for the size and number of catfish you plan to keep.
The type of substrate matters, too. Fine sand or smooth gravel mimics their natural habitat and is safe for their barbels.
Catfish need well-oxygenated water, so make sure you have a good filtration system to handle their waste.

Partial water changes help manage pH and limit nitrate buildup, which is important as high nitrate levels can stress catfish. A healthy nitrogen cycle is key to preventing the buildup of bad stuff in the water.

Tank Mates

When choosing tank mates for catfish, you should choose species that are not small enough to be eaten by catfish. Aggressive fish should be avoided as tank mates as they can harm the more peaceful catfish species. Here are some good tank mates for catfish:

Tetras
Guppies
Swordtails
Corydoras
Plecos

For example, pictus catfish are generally peaceful. They can be kept with fish that don't compete for the same food and occupy different tank zones.

Feeding and Care

Feeding catfish in an aquarium means:

A balanced diet that can include bottom feeder pellets, frozen foods, and occasional live treats
Catfish prefer water temperatures between 74 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit
Need an aquarium heater with 5 watts of power per gallon of water

When adding catfish to a new tank, follow these steps:

Acclimate the catfish to the water temperature by placing them in their bag inside the tank for 15 minutes.
Net the catfish and add them to the tank without adding too much of the old water. Do it within a few seconds to minimize stress.
Monitor for signs of illness to ensure the health and care of the fish.

FAQs about Bottom Feeding Catfish

Despite being popular among anglers and aquarists, catfish, especially as bottom feeders, raise many questions. Let's review some of the most asked questions about these amazing creatures, from diet to fishing techniques.

Is a catfish a bottom feeder?

Yes, most catfish are bottom-feeders because their flattened head and cylindrical bodies allow them to feed at or near the bottom. Some catfish are also active predators.

What bottom-feeder fish to avoid?

Due to PCB contamination, you should avoid eating bottom-feeding fish like carp, catfish, drum, bullheads, sturgeons, and carpsuckers.

What does a catfish eat?

Catfish are omnivorous bottom feeders. They eat aquatic plants, fish, mollusks, insects, and crustaceans, mainly at night.

Do channel catfish feed on the bottom?

Yes, channel catfish are bottom-feeders. They eat a variety of foods, including insects, mollusks, crustaceans, and even small birds.

Should you fish on the bottom for catfish?

Using weights and sinkers will help your bait get to the bottom where catfish feed.

Bottom Feeding Behavior

Catfish are quintessential bottom feeders, meaning they primarily feed on food particles found on the substrate or bottom of the water. Their barbels play a crucial role in this behavior, allowing them to detect vibrations and taste the water to locate food. While many catfish are nocturnal, some species exhibit crepuscular (active during twilight) or diurnal (active during the day) feeding habits. For instance, younger blue catfish tend to stay close to the bottom, while adult blue catfish often feed in the middle of the water column. This adaptability in feeding behavior showcases the versatility of catfish in their quest for sustenance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, catfish are a fascinating group of fish known for their unique physical characteristics and bottom feeding behavior. With over 1,000 species of catfish worldwide, they are a popular target for anglers and aquarists alike. From the giant catfish to the tiny parasitic species, catfish play a vital role in many aquatic ecosystems. By understanding more about catfish and their behavior, we can better appreciate these amazing creatures and work to conserve and protect them for future generations.

So are catfish bottom feeders?

Yes, but there's more. From their unique anatomy and varied feeding habits to their different habitats and culinary uses, catfish are amazing. Whether you're an angler, home cook, or aquarist, understanding these creatures will make your experience with them more enjoyable. Remember, catfish are more than just bottom feeders. They are versatile creatures that adapt to their environment, making them a fascinating subject to explore and learn.

Tags: Category_Catfishing, Category_Fishing Tips

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