Ictalurus lupus (Girard, 1858)
Headwater catfish
photo by Sneegas, G.W.

Family:  Ictaluridae (North American freshwater catfishes)
Max. size:  48 cm TL (male/unsexed); 32.8 cm TL (female)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: USA to Rio Grande drainage including Pecos River system in southeast New Mexico and Devils River in southern Texas; also in northeastern Mexico.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Inhabits sandy and rocky riffles, runs and pools of clear creeks and small rivers and also springs. Greatly resembles a small channel catfish, however, body lacks spots and the caudal fin is not deeply forked, the base of the anal fin is longer than the head length (see Ref. 3221).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 09 January 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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