ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

Wels Catfish

The wels catfish (Silurus glanis), also known as sheatfish or simply wels, is a large species of catfish native to wide areas of central, southern, and eastern Europe. Its earliest identifiable fossil remains date back to the late Miocene epoch, approximately 5.3 million years ago, in Ukraine.

The wels catfish has been introduced to various regions beyond its natural habitat, including Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Algeria, Tunisia, China, and Afghanistan. In some of these locations, it has become established in both freshwater and brackish environments.

In Europe, the wels catfish is native to Eastern Europe, from the Danube basin to the east, and can be found naturally throughout Central and Eastern Europe, extending westward to Austria and Germany, north to Finland and Denmark, and south to northern Greece and European Turkey. Its ideal habitat consists of large rivers, swamps, ponds, lakes, lanches, dead arms, and drainage channels.

The wels catfish is a bentonic species that thrives in the deepest areas but can also be found in lower waters during hunting. It loves to hide between branches and sludge, resting for most of the day before feeding at night. The fish's appearance is unusual, with small specimens often being confused with catfish due to their resemblance.

The wels catfish has a distinctive underwater weapon called "siluro" that owes its name to the similarity in shape. Its body is cylindrical but becomes thinner and more compressed towards the tail. Adult individuals can grow up to 2 meters (6 feet 7 inches) in length, weighing between 15-65 kilograms (33-143 pounds), although exceptional specimens have been recorded at lengths of over 5 meters (16 feet) and weights of up to 400 kilograms (880 pounds).

In Cyprus, the wels catfish has been introduced for several decades and can be found in various freshwater environments. Its presence in the country is a result of human activity, highlighting the importance of responsible management and conservation efforts to protect this species and its habitats.

The male wels catfish guards the nest until the brood hatches, which typically takes between three to ten days, depending on water temperature. The fish's sharp pectoral fins create an eddy that disorients its victim, allowing it to be