Understanding a catfish will play a huge role in your desire to succeed when you eventually hit the water in search of them. It is like hunting an animal you have zero knowledge of. How do you pull that off? It’s possible, but the odds will be against you, and you are likely to end up being frustrated. That instance applies to a catfish. Have you asked yourself why cats eat each other or why they remain at the bottom? Well, the reason for the latter is quite simple.
Catfish are bottom feeders and therefore they will stay at the bottom as long as their prey is present. It does not mean they do not come to the surface. Catfish usually come to the surface at nights and when they lack adequate dissolved oxygen.
If you are a novice angler who is interested in catfishing, there is a lot to learn. Pro anglers can also learn something new; there is no end to learning, you know? If you are still intrigued at why cats stay at the bottom, we’ll be taking an in-depth look into the matter and other captivating matters as well. Tag along and enjoy the ride!
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Why Do Catfish Stay on the Bottom?
Cats are different from other species of fish in a few ways. They obviously have cat whiskers, have zero scales, make weird noises, and are sometimes seen on the surface, and they are pretty much bottom dwellers. Only a few fishes out there are as weird and interesting and the catfish…oh, and lest I forget, tasty as well.
Catfish are known to spend a huge chunk of their day underneath the water; that is, at the bottom. Most anglers don’t know why, while others probably feel like they do, but they don’t. So, why are cats always shy of the surface? Why do they prefer to stick to the bottom of oceans, rivers and lakes?
Cats stay on the bottom of rivers, lakes, and other water bodies because it allows them to feed. Cats feed on minnows, earthworms, mealworms, aquatic plants, snails and many other things. These aquatic animals and plants are majorly located at the bottom of the oceans, ponds, lakes or rivers. So, that is one of the main reasons why cats are often down there.
However, cats don’t spend their entire day rummaging the bottom of water bodies for prey. Sometimes, especially at nights, cats move to the shallow water to feed.
Learn more about the reasons cats come to the surface.
Where Do Catfish Hide?
Animals, insects, and the likes are fond of hiding; it is natural for them. For instance, nocturnal animals come out at night, do their thing, and go into hiding in the day. Rats, for example, hide in holes, so do snakes and some other animals. Now, moving to the aquatic world. Some fishes are good at hiding. They hide to protect themselves from predators. Some fishes also hide to protect themselves from their prey, so they launch the perfect attack, one that catches them by surprise. Cats are one of those fishes that hide, and knowing where they hide can be beneficial in your hunt for them. So, with that being said, where do cats hide?
Catfish have several hiding spots. During the day, a cat would hide in muddy water areas, like a tributary and its outflow. A catfish will also hide in deep structures such as river bends, the bottom of drop-offs, deep holes, including humps. Besides, a catfish will hold around covers like deep weed edges, upright timber, bogwoods, rocks, including clean plastic pipes.
Cats are good when it comes to hiding. In fact, they are one of the best hiders as far as aquatic animals are concerned. You can find cats in places that you would never imagine them to be. So as an angler, ensure you are very familiar with all of their hiding locations.
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Why Do Catfish Hide?
Most animals hide, especially when they encounter an intruder. In fact, generally, most animals and insects have a hiding spot, which is a particular spot where they seek shelter and protection from something. A catfish is no exception because they hide as well. However, some (if not most) anglers don’t seem to understand why cats hide.
Catfish hide, especially during the daytime, because they have poor eyesight and bright lighting that comes from the sun can do more harm than good to their eyes. In the wild, cats are known to reside in deeper water to catch enough food and stay away from predators. Catfish also hide due to the presence of intruders.
Cats hide mainly due to the presence of bright lighting. Their tiny eyes are super-sensitive to light. That is why you find most cats hiding in holes, rocks, including other structures. This is for aquarium owners or individuals planning to keep cats as pets: if you own a catfish, pay attention to the lighting. Don’t install extremely bright lightening in the aquarium or purchase an aquarium that has one.
Learn more about the possble reasons catfish can sting.
How Deep Do Catfish Live?
There are several things you need to know about cats before you are confident enough to hit the water and catch them, a whole lot of them, I mean. One of those things is regarding how deep cats live. Not many people know the answer to that question.
You can find cats at a depth of 35-70 feet. They will go to great lengths to ensure that they find the deepest holes and structures in the body of water they reside in. They will locate muddy holes at the base of the water and chill there until everywhere gets dark. This could be around 35-70 feet deep or even deeper.
Cats will search for deep holes and structures to hide like a mother searching for her missing child. They will ensure that they find what they are after, regardless of the depth. This is one reason why people get surprised when they spot a catfish on the surface of the water. It is like spotting a bag of $100 note on the highway, untouched. It’s weird. So, have it in mind that cats are bottom dwellers. It will help when drafting a catfishing strategy.