Catfish

Catfish (order Siluriformes, also called Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. They are named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, though not all species have prominent barbels. All siluriformes lack scales and instead have either smooth skin or armour-plated bodies. The order is defined by features of the skull and swimbladder. Catfish vary greatly in size and behavior: some are among the largest freshwater fish (for example the Mekong giant catfish, the wels catfish, and the piraíba), while others are detritivorous or scavenging bottom feeders, and a few are tiny ectoparasitic species such as the candiru. Many larger species are farmed or fished for food (for example Pangasius and Clarias), and many smaller species (for example members of Corydoras) are kept in aquaria. In parts of the Southern United States, regional slang names for catfish include "mud cat", "polliwogs", or "chuckleheads", with different meanings in different places.

Catfish exhibit a wide range of behaviors and movement patterns: some species are large-bodied and range widely, many are bottom-dwelling detritivores or scavengers, and some tiny species are ectoparasitic.

Diet varies by species: many are detritivorous or scavenging bottom feeders, while some species are parasitic; others (including large species) are not described here as exclusively one feeding type.

The strongest linked planning options currently surface around destinations such as Akumal, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and countries such as Republic of Serbia, Slovakia, Belarus for divers building trips around catfish.