Wels Catfish Silurus glanis

Wels Catfish
Wels Catfish
The Wels Catfish is native to lakes and slow-moving rivers of central, eastern and southeastern Europe but is now common throughout Europe, including the UK, and into Central Asia.
Wels Catfish
Yoda
Wels Catfish
It is a large freshwater catfish reaching 3 metres long (some reports say up to 5m) and living for some 50 years. It has a long anal fin along the underside, 4 barbels on its chin and two above the mouth. The name "catfish" comes from the barbels or whiskers. Above centre: so that's where the idea for Yoda's ears came from.
Wels Catfish
Wels Catfish Young catfish being moved from small pond to more ...
Wels Catfish ... suitable habitat. 2 photos by Lawrence Bard of Pondlife.
It is a predatory carnivore eating other fish (including its own kind), molluscs, worms, amphibians, small ducks, rats, mice and even pigeons.