The general consensus to most people is that catfish are bottom feeders.
But are catfish bottom feeders? Well, yes and no.
Catfish come in many different breeds and species, each with its unique eating and hunting styles.
Whilst some catfish genuinely are what we would consider bottom feeders. These are not always the sorts of varieties of catfish that are appealing to us anglers.
If you are coming to this article as an angler looking to catch catfish, you’ll want to know how catfish eat, where they hunt, and the best way to catch them. So it’s important to know that most catfish we find appealing to catch are not exclusively bottom-feeding fish.
Some of the most popular catfish such as channel, blue, wels, and flathead feed in all layers of the water, which even includes the surface in some cases.
Before we spend more time on catfish, let’s take a moment to define what a bottom-feeder fish is.
What Is A Bottom-Feeder Fish?
As the name suggests, bottom feeders spend most or all of their eating time at the bottom of ponds, lakes, rivers, or oceans.
These species usually hide underneath the protective mud, and some can even bury their bodies!
There are so many different species that are considered bottom feeders, and this is not limited to fish. Bottom feeders also include many types of crabs, shellfish, and plants.
Bottom feeding fish tend to have a slightly different mouth shape compared to other species. Typically, a bottom-feeder fish will have a mouth that points downwards.
This allows them to successfully pick up food from the flat surface of the waterbed. On top of this, their body is usually flatter.
Many bottom feeders feed on dead or decaying organic matter that is found on the floor of the water body. This category of bottom feeders is called detritivores.
There are some species of catfish that fall into this category too. But catfish have dense layers of hundreds of tiny sharp teeth that are strong enough for them to eat frogs, crayfish, and crustaceans as well.
As catfish are such versatile predators, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a species that doesn’t either feed on detritus or eat other predators that feed on the bottom.
Are Catfish Bottom Feeders?
Catfish vary their behavior and eating habits from species to species.
Whilst many catfish species that anglers want to catch can feed in many layers of the water, from the bottom to the surface.
If you are an angler learning how to catch catfish, it’s essential to know when and where catfish hunt, and what their routines look to increase your chances of catching one.
During a lot of the daytime hours, catfish tend to hang around at the bottom of water bodies and enjoy being covered in mud.
This is why many people assume that catfish are bottom feeders.
They tend to spend a lot of time at the bottom, feeding off smaller bottom feeders, and enjoying the cooler temperatures of the lower levels of water.
At night, as the temperature creeps down, they are more likely to be seen swimming freely in the upper levels of the water, and can even make an appearance on the surface of the water.
Because they swim in all levels of the water, they are NOT considered to be bottom feeders.
Catfish’s position in the water will also depend on the seasons as well.
As the weather gets warmer, the top layers of the water heat up quicker from the sun, and catfish will tend to swim in the cooler regions of the water underneath.
They are not picky eaters and therefore they can eat pretty much anything that the water throws at them.
Did you know they can even eat rodents that fall into the water? But they can also happily live off algae and other small fish.
We can clearly see here that catfish are not exclusively bottom feeders, though they do share some of the same tendencies.
What Do Bottom Feeder Catfish Eat The Most?
As we’ve said previously, catfish eat a whole variety of foods.
As they swim comfortably in every layer of the water, almost every kind of food is available to them. The only requirement is of course that their food can fit into their mouths!
When they do feed at the bottom, what do they eat? They are able to eat literally anything in their paths, ranging from other fish eggs, algae, and other plant material.
They also eat other smaller fish and aquatic life such as small crustaceans. And some varieties of catfish will also happily eat the decaying matter of dead fish that sink to the bottom.
Other food sources from the land can also fall into the water, making great opportunities for catfish as they are both predatory and scavenger fish.
Are Catfish Always On The Bottom Of Water Beds?
As stated earlier, no, not at all. Catfish will go where the food is easiest to find.
Yes, they may spend a lot of their time hunting and scavenging off the floor. But with changing temperatures and access to other smaller fish to hunt, they are more than able to hunt at all levels of the water.
During the Spring, Fall, and summer nights, catfish are the most active, and during these periods. You’ll find them grouping together near the surface, and wherever an abundance of small fish or other prey is found.
With the change in temperature, food becomes more available in other layers of the water, where catfish will inevitably follow.
What Other Fish Are Considered Bottom Feeders?
There are many other species of fish that, like the catfish, eat from the bottom, and from other layers of the water as well.
Some feed exclusively as bottom feeders, others are not fussy about where they hunt and scavenge.
Some well-known varieties are as follows:
Can You Eat Bottom Feeders?
Bottom feeders have been eaten across the globe for centuries without ill effects. Though many say that bottom feeders tend to taste a lot like mud, and the other scavenged food it has consumed.
There are many ways to prepare bottom feeders safety and these species can be incredibly tasty. However, this will also depend greatly on the region where the bottom feeders have been eating.
Final Thoughts
So are catfish bottom feeders? No, catfish are not considered bottom feeders, though they do spend a lot of their time at the bottom of the water.
As they are happy traversing all levels of the water, catfish are able to feed on just about any critter that can fit in it’s mouth. Meaning with a little bait and some knowledge about its eating habits, you should be able to successfully catch this great fish.
Want to know what the best gear is to catch catfish? Read our other article Best Catfish Rod And Reels Combo.
