The Phelps Catfish

We have videos and various photos posted of our catfish, but none capture his(?) size to my satisfaction.  He moves quickly, only comes to the pond surface briefly to eat, and blends in to the pond water.​  I tried today to get a few more photos, which are a little better.

We are not certain the exact species of the catfish.  We bought him quite a few years ago when he was 3" or 4" long to go in our small backyard lily pond.  We literally did not see him for at least three years except during the annual pond cleaning.  In the last few years he has become too big to miss, and is a voracious eater.  We suspect the catfish is the reason tadpoles we purchase never seem to survive.  I estimate he is now about 14" long and over a pound.  He will mow down as much fish food as we give him.  ​

Our Catfish Eating​

Our Catfish Eating​

Hoovering Down the Fishfood

Hoovering Down the Fishfood