Pylodictis olivaris (Rafinesque, 1818)
Flathead catfish
photo by Østergaard, T.

Family:  Ictaluridae (North American freshwater catfishes)
Max. size:  155 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 56 kg; max. reported age: 25 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: Lower Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins from western Pennsylvania to White-Little Missouri River system in North Dakota, and south to Louisiana in USA; Gulf Slope from Mobile Bay drainage in Georgia and Alabama in USA to Mexico. Transplanted elsewhere in USA.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Adults inhabit pools with logs and other debris in low-gradient to moderate-gradient, small to large rivers. Also found in lakes and impoundments. Young occur in rocky and sandy runs and riffles (Ref. 5723, 86798). Juveniles feed on aquatic insect immature in riffle areas (Ref. 10294). Older individuals consume crayfish, clams and fishes (Ref. 93252).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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