What is the scientific name of the wels catfish, Europe’s largest freshwater fish?

The scientific name of the wels catfish, Europe’s largest freshwater fish, is Silurus glanis.

This giant catfish is native to broad parts of central, eastern and southern Europe, including river systems connected to the Black, Caspian and Aral seas. It has also been introduced into waterways in western Europe and elsewhere. The species is recognizable by its long, scaleless body, broad head and three pairs of barbels.

Wels catfish are opportunistic predators. They eat fish, crustaceans, amphibians and other available animals, and large individuals have been reported taking birds and small mammals. The species prefers warm, slow-moving or still water and can grow to exceptional lengths, although many wild fish are much smaller than the largest documented specimens.

“Wels” refers to the fish’s common name, while Silurus glanis is its binomial scientific name. It is sometimes confused with North American bullhead or channel catfish, but those belong to different genera.