Catfish

August is National Catfish Month. Catfish belong to the group of ray-finned fish. They get their name because their barbs are said to resemble a cat's whiskers. The different species range from small enough for aquariums to huge. The largest one in the United States was caught in Elk City, Kansas, and weighed 123 pounds. They reside in fresh water, and most of them are bottom feeders.

Catfish have a skin instead of scales, although a few varieties have small, bony plates covering the skin. Some species inject a protein venom with a barbed sting, and in a few, the effects can range from discomfort to poisonous enough to cause death. Most catfish, however are harmless.

Catfish is a popular dish around the world. In Asia, as with most fish, they are usually served whole. Catfish farms are also popular in some areas, and they are regularly caught by fishing. In the South and parts of the Midwest, catfish are commonly found on restaurant menus. I especially like the fresh, mild-tasting, fried fillets. Let's have some for National Catfish Month.

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