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((Short description|Species of fish))
((More citations needed|date=July 2009))
((Speciesbox
| name = Flathead catfish
| image = Pylodictis olivaris.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">((cite iucn |author=NatureServe |date=2014 |title=''Pylodictis olivaris'' |page=e.T202701A18234613 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T202701A18234613.en |access-date=19 November 2021))</ref>
| genus = Pylodictis
| parent_authority = [[Constantine Samuel Rafinesque|Rafinesque]], 1819
| species = olivaris
| authority = ([[Constantine Samuel Rafinesque|Rafinesque]], 1818)
| synonyms = *''Silurus olivaris'' <small>Rafinesque, 1818</small>
))

The '''flathead catfish''' ('''''Pylodictis olivaris'''''), also called by several [[common name]]s including '''mudcat''' or '''shovelhead cat''', is a large [[species]] of [[North American freshwater catfish]] in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Ictaluridae]]. It is the only species of the [[genus]] ''Pylodictis''. Ranging from the lower [[Great Lakes]] region to northern [[Mexico]], it has been widely introduced and is an [[invasive species]] in some areas.  The closest living relative of the flathead catfish is the much smaller [[widemouth blindcat]], ''Satan eurystomus''.<ref>((cite journal|title=Morphological Adaptations of the Texas Blind Catfishes ''Trogloglanis pattersoni'' and ''Satan eurystomus'' (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae) to Their Underground Environment|first=Thomas G.|last=Langecker|author2=Longley, Glenn |journal=[[Copeia]]|year=1993|pages=976–986|doi=10.2307/1447075|volume=1993|jstor=1447075|issue=4))</ref>

==Common names==
The flathead catfish is also known as the yellow cat, mud cat, Johnnie cat, ''goujon'', ''appaluchion'', ''opelousas'',<ref>[http://www.kentuckylake.com/fishing/species.shtml#.Wg-l58ZKthE Kentucky Lake]- Retrieved 2017-11-17</ref><ref>[https://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-flathead_catfish.pdf Indiana Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Animal Information Series]- Retrieved 2017-11-17</ref> pied cat and Mississippi cat.<ref>[https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/catfish/ Texas.gov: ''Other names]- Retrieved 2017-11-17</ref>  In dialect of the [[Ozark mountains]] it may be referred to as a "granny cat."<ref name="modoc" />

==Description==
The flathead catfish is olive colored on its sides and dorsum, with a white to yellow underside. Individuals, particularly young specimens from clearer waters,<ref name="modoc">((cite web|title=Field Guide: Flathead Catfish|website=Missouri Department of Conservation|url=https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/flathead-catfish|access-date=15 October 2022))</ref> may be strongly mottled with dark brown to black color.  The eyes are small and the lower jaw prominently projects beneath the upper.  A [[wikt:premaxillary|premaxillary]] tooth pad has posterior extensions.<ref name="floridamus">((cite web|url=https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/fish/catfish/ictaluridae/flathead-catfish/|title=Flathead Catfish|website=Florida Museum|date=23 October 2017|access-date=15 October 2022))</ref>  The caudal fin is [[wikt:emarginate|emarginate]] in structure, and its upper lobe may bear an isolated white margin.<ref name="modoc"/><ref name="floridamus"/> The fins are otherwise brown, though the body's mottling may extend into the fins.  The anal fin has 14 to 17 rays and a round margin.<ref name="floridamus"/>

The flathead catfish grows to a length of ((convert|155|cm|in|abbr=on))<ref name="floridamus"/> and may weigh up to ((convert|55.79|kg|lb|abbr=on)),<ref name="igfa">((cite web |url=https://igfa.org/igfa-world-records-search/?search_type=CommonNameSummary&search_term_1=Catfish%2C+flathead|website=The International Game Fish Association|title=Catfish, flathead (''Pylodictis olivaris'')|access-date=15 October 2022))</ref> making it the second-largest North American catfish (after the [[blue catfish]], ''Ictalurus furcatus'').<ref name="igfa" /> More commonly, adult length is about ((convert|15|-|45|in|cm)).<ref name="modoc"/> Its maximum recorded lifespan is 28 years.<ref>((cite web|url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pylodictis_olivaris/|website=Animal Diversity Web|last=Brodd|first=Nicholas|editor-last1=Powers|editor-first1=Karen|editor-last2=Newtoff|editor-first2=Kiersten|editor-last3=Whistleman|editor-first3=Melissa|editor-last4=Wright|editor-first4=Jeremy|year=2012|access-date=15 October 2022|title=''Pylodictis olivaris'' Catfish))</ref>  Reproductive maturity is reached between 4 and 5 years, or at approximately ((convert|18|in|cm)).<ref name="modoc"/> The world angling record flathead catfish was caught May 19, 1998, from [[Elk City Reservoir]], [[Kansas]], and weighed ((convert|55.79|kg|lbs|abbr=on)).<ref name="igfa"/> However, a record from 1982, caught by "other methods", shows that the flathead catfish could be North America's longest species of catfish, after a specimen pulled from the [[Arkansas River]] measured 175&nbsp;cm (69 in.) and weighed 63.45&nbsp;kg (139&nbsp;lbs and 14oz.).<ref name="fishworldrecord">((cite web|url=http://www.fishing-worldrecords.com/scientificname/Pylodictis%20olivaris/show|title=''Pylodictis olivaris ''|website=World Records - Freshwater Fishing |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130120416/http://www.fishing-worldrecords.com/scientificname/Pylodictis%20olivaris/show |archive-date=January 30, 2020 |url-status=dead))</ref>

==Distribution and habitat==
The native range of the flathead catfish includes a broad area west of the [[Appalachian Mountains]] encompassing large rivers of the [[Mississippi]], [[Missouri River|Missouri]], and [[Ohio river|Ohio]] basins. The range extends as far north as [[Canada]], as far west as [[Texas]], and south to the [[Gulf of Mexico]] including northeastern Mexico.
The flathead catfish cannot live in full-strength seawater (which is about 35 parts per thousand or about 35 grams of salt per liter of water), but it can survive in 10 ppt for a while and thrive in up to about 5 ppt.<ref>SC Wildlife magazine, October 2004</ref>((Full citation needed|date=August 2017))

==Diet==
The flathead catfish prefers live prey. It is a voracious carnivore and feeds primarily on [[fish]]es, [[insect]]s, [[annelid]] worms, and [[crustacea]]ns. It also feeds on other small catfish and almost anything that moves and makes vibration.<ref>[https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/species/catfish/ ''Life History'']- Retrieved 2017-11-17</ref> They are known to eat [[crayfish]], [[American gizzard shad]] (''Dorosoma cepedianum''), insects and larvae, [[channel catfish]] (''Ictalurus punctatus''), drum (''[[Aplodinotus grunniens]]''), other flatheads, [[green sunfish]] (''Lepomis cyanellus''), and [[carp]]. Insect larvae are the major prey type until an individual reaches approximately 100&nbsp;mm (3.9&nbsp;in) in total length, at which point the diet expands to include crayfish and small fishes. Individuals above 250&nbsp;mm (9.8&nbsp;in) in length feed almost exclusively on other fish.<ref>((Cite web|url=https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pylodictis_olivaris/|title=Pylodictis olivaris (Catfish)|website=[[Animal Diversity Web]] ))</ref>

==Breeding==
Spawning of ''P. olivaris'' occurs in late June and early July, and the nests are made in areas with submerged logs and other debris. The males, which also build the nests, fiercely and tirelessly defend and fan the [[Clutch (eggs)|clutch]]. The size of the clutch varies proportionately to the size of the female; an average of 2,640 eggs per kilogram of fish are laid.

The fry frequent shallow areas with rocky and sandy substrates, where they feed on insects and worms such as [[annelid]]s and [[polychaete]]s. Young flathead catfish are also [[cannibalism|cannibalistic]], which has largely precluded their presence in [[aquaculture]].

==Relationship with humans==
Inhabiting deep pools, lakes, and large, slow-moving rivers, the flathead catfish is popular among [[angling|anglers]]; its flesh is widely regarded as the tastiest of the catfishes. Its size also makes the flathead catfish an effective subject of public [[Aquarium|aquaria]].

=== Sport fishing ===
[[File:Susquehanna Flatheads.jpg|thumb|These 35- to 40-lb flathead catfish were caught in the [[Susquehanna River]] in late June 2015 on live [[bluegill]]s.]]
Sport fishing for flathead catfish using either rod and reel, limb lines, or bare hands ([[noodling]]) can be a pastime. Anglers target this species in a variety of waterways, including small rivers (barely large enough for a canoe), large rivers (such as the Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Colorado Rivers), and reservoirs. A common element of flathead catfish location is submerged wood cover such as logs and rootwads which often collect at bends in rivers. A good flathead spot usually also includes relatively deep water compared to the rest of a particular section of river, a moderate amount of current, and access to plentiful baitfish such as river herring, shad, carp, drum, panfish, or suckers. Anglers targeting large flathead catfish usually use stout tackle such as medium-heavy or heavy action rods from ((convert|6|-|10|ft|m|abbr=on)) in length with large line-capacity reels and line ranging from ((convert|20|-|80|lbf|N)) test breaking strength. Generally large live baits are preferred such as river herring, [[shad]], [[Centrarchidae|sunfish]] (such as [[bluegill]]), [[Catostomidae|suckers]], [[carp]], [[goldfish]], [[Drum (fish)|drum]], and [[Ameiurus|bullheads]] ranging from ((convert|5|-|12|in|cm|abbr=on)) in length. <!-- not encyclopedic - sound like a travel guide While not as numerous as other catfish species, catching a large flathead catfish (over 20 lb) usually makes the effort worthwhile to an avid catfisher. Flathead catfishing often takes place at night either from a boat or from shore once a catfisher has identified a likely looking flathead spot. -->

==See also==
*[[List of fish common names]]

==References==
((Reflist))

==External links==
*((FishBase|genus=Pylodictis|species=olivaris|month=December|year=2011))
*((ITIS|id=164029|taxon=''Pylodictis olivaris ''|access-date=30 January 2006))
*[https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/profile/flathead-catfish Species Profile - Flathead Catfish (''Pylodictis olivaris'')], National Invasive Species Information Center, [[United States National Agricultural Library]]. Lists general information and resources for Flathead Catfish.

((Taxonbar|from=Q1426212))
((Authority control))

[[Category:Ictaluridae|flathead catfish]]
[[Category:Freshwater fish of the United States]]
[[Category:Fish described in 1818|flathead catfish]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque|flathead catfish]]

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