We received this letter and although our mission doesn't include catfish we do love nature and all of its inhabitants. So we felt we needed to answer this letter and below are the answers from Micheal Academia.
May 8, 2024
Dear .......,
Thank you so much for contacting the Virginia Osprey Foundation! We were delighted to hear from you and hear about your interest in catfish. We passed your letter onto our science advisor, Michael Academia. He is an Osprey Researcher and has a degree in Fisheries. This is his response to your questions!
“Yes, catfish have teeth, but they're not like ours! Instead of big, sharp teeth, catfish have lots of tiny, little teeth that point backward. These tiny teeth help the catfish grab onto their food like smaller fish, crabs, and shrimp. They crush it into smaller bits before they swallow it.
Catfish can eat a lot of things! They are happy to munch on plants and algae that grow in the water. They also like to eat bugs and other fish. They also eat a lot and are always looking for a meal!
There are over 3,000 different types of catfish around the world! They come in many different shapes and colors. In Virginia, we have lots of blue catfish and they grow very large and eat lots of menhaden. Ospreys eat catfish because there are lots of them in our area!
Because there are so many different types of catfish, you can keep them as pets! If you want an aquarium, people love to keep the Corydoras catfish. Do some research on this fish! They are perfect for the aquarium.
That is a great question! It is hard to pinpoint who discovered catfish, but they have been used as an important food source for humans for thousands of years.
Catfish are a very strong fish and can handle heat and cold, but they cannot handle freezing water.
These are all excellent questions, .....!
Keep asking question and stay curious. Have you ever seen an Osprey eat a fish?”
We hope this helps and we wish you well in your studies!
Again, thank you for reaching out to us!
Sincerely,
Joanie Millward, President
Virginia Osprey Foundation