flat head catfish christian lizaso

Flat Head CatfishChristian Lizaso

Pylodictis olivaris

• Common Names: Yellow Catfish, Mud Fish, Mississippi Cat

• Scientific Name: Pylodictis olivaris

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Actinopterygii

Distribution• Native: Central U.S. Mississippi River• Start Of Introduction: 1950’s• Why?: It was introduced for fishing games

( sport fishing)

Effects On People

• Humans Introduced this fish all over U.S.A for sport fishing

• Humans also EAT this type of fish• However these fish tend to release toxins

harming us

Effects on Ecosystem

• Eliminated native catfish population

• Prey on crayfish, crabs, and shad

Food Web

SUN ALGAEHUMAN

CHANNEL CATFISH

FLAT HEAD CATFISH

SHAD

BREAM

CRAB

Reasons For Success

• 60,000 eggs avg.• Prey that it needs is readily available• Slow Currents• Rivers, Lakes, Canals, Reservoirs, Streams• Live to 12-14 yrs.

FUTURE

• Intentionally brought all over U.S.A• Will continue to be for sport fishing• Trade-Off: Competes with native fish for prey

FLAT HEAD CATFISH