Atlantic catfish belong to the wolffish family. They are Nordic fish that prefer low water temperatures. They always live near the seabed and are very calm fish that do not travel or hunt to a great extent.
Atlantic catfish are an average length of one metre and weigh approximately 15 kilograms. While there is no exact information on their longevity it is estimated to be up to 25 years.
The Atlantic catfish has an elongated body, a very large head with a wide mouth and strong conical teeth. The dorsal and anal fins are very long and are not fused, like many other fish, with the tail fin. The skin is covered with tiny scales which are almost hidden in the skin.
Atlantic catfish vary in colour, from to grey-green to reddish brown to black. They assume the colour of their environment very quickly, which explains the many variations.
They feed mainly on animals with hard shells. Their bite is similar to that of a predator and it easily cracks the shells of mussels, crabs or even spiny creatures. Since the teeth wear out so quickly, new ones grow regularly.
Catfish reach sexual maturity at the age of six or seven years. In the period from October to January, females lay up to 25,000 eggs on the seabed, where the males watch over the larvae until they hatch.
