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Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei) — Ictaluridae

Yaqui catfish

Ictalurus pricei
Family: Ictaluridae

The Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei) is a freshwater fish of the family Ictaluridae that grows up to 57 cm.

Length
57 cm
Water
Freshwater
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Mexico, USA

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Description

The Yaqui catfish is a North American catfish (Ictaluridae) from the Yaqui and adjacent drainages in northwestern Mexico and southern Arizona. The species grows to about 57 cm and has a streamlined, greyish body with four pairs of barbels and an adipose fin. As a nocturnal bottom-dweller it searches rivers and pools for insect larvae, crustaceans, small fish and plant material. Through water use and hybridisation with stocked catfish the species is threatened. The fish is harmless to humans, though the fin spines can prick.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yaqui catfish?

The Yaqui catfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Yaqui catfish live?

The Yaqui catfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Mexico, USA

How big does the Yaqui catfish get?

The Yaqui catfish grows to a maximum of about 57 cm.

Is the Yaqui catfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Yaqui catfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei) — Ictaluridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Jacob Malcom, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei) — Ictaluridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Manuel Salazar, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei) — Ictaluridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Jacob Malcom (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei) — Ictaluridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) H.Grenier, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Yaqui catfish sourced
Scientific name
Ictalurus pricei
Family
Ictaluridae
Other names
Catfish; Yaqui catfish; Bagre de Yaqui verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
57.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: Mexico, USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Ictalurus

More from the family Ictaluridae

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