Flathead CatfishDescription Flathead catfish, as the name implies, have long flat heads, small eyes and a large mouth with the lower jaw projecting beyond the upper jaw. Their eight, black feelers or barbells help them to locate food. The mottled back and sides are dark brown to yellowish brown, and the belly is yellowish, almost white. Another distinguishing feature from other catfish is a squared tail, rather than the more common notched tail. The average weight of an adult ranges from 20 to 50 pounds; their length as adults range from 10 to 60 inches. Where They Live Flathead catfish prefer long, deep, slow-moving areas. They will search for hard-bottomed areas with heavy cover to allow them to rest for the majority of the day. What They Eat Flathead catfish are opportunistic and omnivorous, feeding on both plants and animals. As they increase in size, their diet changes and a wider variety of food items are eaten. Young flathead, up to 10 inches long, feed on vegetation, aquatic insects and crayfish. As they grow older and larger, their diet changes to include fish such as bass, bream, shad, and crayfish. The larger flatheads have been known to take the possible terrestrial and amphibious animals such as mice or frogs when presented. When They Spawn Flathead catfish spawning activities begin in April and run through September. Males build nests in secluded areas like caves, depressions under rocks, undercut banks, and around hollow logs, at depths of 5 to 20 feet. The male also guards the yellow eggs against predation and help to provide oxygen by fanning the eggs with his tail fin. Once the eggs have hatched, the fry remain in a guarded close-knit school near the nest until they are able to fend for themselves.
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