In this article, I will be examining the catfish species to clarify whether catfish are blind or bottom feeders.
Are Catfish Blind?
Catfish are known to be one of the most sensitive fish. They have barbels which can be used to detect prey from a distance. Moreover, no, catfish are not blind, regarding the fish species generally. However, there are a particular catfish species that is blind.
The blind catfish species are found in different parts of the United States. They are remarkably smaller than the regular catfish and have no eyes. These catfish species live in murky waters and feed on aquatic plants or smaller aquatic animals such as worms.
Bigger catfish species such as the flatheads are excellent sight feeders. This quality makes it easier for anglers to attract and catch the flathead catfish with the use of brightly colored lures. However, anglers still rely on the sensitive barbels to attract catfish with live bait.
Since just a small number of catfish species do not have eyes, we cannot categorically say the catfish are blind.
While catfish rely on their eyes to find food in the water, it should be noted that catfish cannot see very far. The capability of their eyesight only reaches a few inches ahead of the catfish. This is why the fish relies on other senses such as its barbels, and olfactory organs to detect the presence of prey or danger in its underwater surroundings.
The absence of scales on its skin makes catfish extremely sensitive to tremors under the water. They are known to quickly migrate away from areas prone to earthquakes and other extreme forces of nature as soon as they detect the event.
In this regard, it can be stated that catfish use a combination of its senses and organs to find food, mate, and avoid other predators in the water.
Are Catfish Bottom Feeders?
Fish species classified as bottom feeders find their food at the bottom of the river or lake. These fish species can hardly be found hunting for food close to the surface of the water. Not all catfish are bottom feeders; however, because the most popular catfish species we know dwell in the water depths, we tend to classify the fish species as bottom feeders.
Catfish feed on smaller fish which are found in the shallow parts of the river. They will also hunt and chase bait when an angler decides to troll catfish. In these circumstances, you can find catfish coming close to the surface in search of food.
Also, in private fish farms, during feeding time, the water surface becomes a frenzy of catfish struggling to catch more food. This behavior was formed over time because the fish rely on the farmers for food. In such situations, the catfish always feed at the surface of the water.
Looking at the food catfish like to eat, such as minnows, mollusks, worms, and crustaceans, they are mostly found in the depths of the water. So we can conclude that catfish are not exclusive bottom feeders, instead, they adapt to the living conditions.
