The barbels on the faces of catfish give them their name. Those barbels resemble whiskers and are just as sensitive as whiskers. They aid catfish in detecting vibrations in water with poor visibility. What we call catfish is made up of many different species. With the exception of Antarctica, they inhabit every continent. Some of them are even marine creatures. Their sizes vary according to species and the amount of food available. Some may weigh less than two pounds and reach only a few inches in length. Some can reach half a ton in weight. No matter what species they are, catfish are omnivores who will eat anything. Some species of predators ambush prey, devouring fish that come too close to them. Some are scavengers, feeding on human waste and carrion. When handling a catfish, exercise caution. The pectoral and dorsal fins of the majority of catfish species are spined. The poison those spines can shoot is painful but not lethal.
