Walking Catfish

This month Minnie is exploring the alphabet by digging out the unusual, often unexplained and alternative way of thinking. Stories of creatures, places and mysteries that have been passed down to us through centuries tease our imagination, live in our dreams and dare us to explore the impossible. Join Minnie each day as she discovers something unusual in the alphabet.

 "If I were a cat this would be the worst insult EVER!"

The walking catfish is a species of freshwater air-breathing catfish found primarily in Southeast Asia. It is named for its ability to "walk" across dry land, in order to find food or suitable living environments. Actually they slither more like snakes, but they sure do get around. The walking catfish was imported to Florida, reportedly from Thailand, in the early 1960s for the aquarium trade.  Apparently a huge amount of these fish escaped from time to time, either from a fish farm or from trucks transporting the fish. Some fish in Florida, were purposeful released, by fish farmers in the Tampa Bay area, after the state banned the importation and possession of walking catfish. In Florida, walking catfish are known to have invaded aquaculture farms, entering ponds where these predators prey on fish stocks. In response, fish farmers have had to erect fences to protect ponds. Authorities have also created laws that ban possession of walking catfish.

Like illegal immigrants they seem to have crossed over boarders and have even been spotted occasionally in the Midwest. Have you ever seen a walking catfish? Do you like to eat catfish? Not me! I am just praying that if I come across one of these fish it will not have learned how to run.