Species learning profile
Flathead catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) is a freshwater fish associated with river habitat in North America. Its broad flattened head suits ambush hunting around submerged cover.
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At a glance
- Water
- Fresh water
- Habitat
- River
- Maximum length
- 155 cm
- Range
- North America
- Family
- Ictaluridae
- Order
- Siluriformes
Observe
How to identify Flathead catfish
- Its broad flattened head suits ambush hunting around submerged cover.
- Guide context: river habitat in North America.
- Reported maximum length: 155 cm — capable of growing longer than many people are tall. Maximum is not the same as typical adult size.
Field note: color, size, and markings can change with age, sex, season, depth, and lighting. Use several traits together.
Place and pattern
Where it lives—and how it behaves
Habitat and range
This species is associated with river habitat across North America. Flow, seasonal floods, connected side channels, and access to spawning reaches all shape its river habitat.
Behavior
Hides by day and hunts at night
Food-web connections
What it eats and why it matters
Diet
Mostly live fish.
Ecological role
Apex predator in many large warm rivers.
Remember
One fact worth keeping
Its broad flattened head suits ambush hunting around submerged cover.
Think like a conservationist
A conservation lens
River fish depend on connected water. Dams, blocked migrations, pollution, and altered flow can matter even when the channel still looks wet.
This habitat lens is not a current population-status assessment. Status can differ among regions and change as new assessments are published; follow the reference links and local fisheries or wildlife agencies for current decisions.
Recall
Quick knowledge check
Which habitat is most closely associated with Flathead catfish in this guide?
Keep exploring
References and further reading
Fishdle summarizes stable identification and ecology concepts in plain language. Taxonomy and population knowledge continue to change, so use primary assessments and regional authorities for conservation or management decisions.
Make connections