What's wrong with this catfish?

[Zeppelin2088]

Caught this fish today. In Oklahoma.


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[Capsfan95]

That does not look native. Is it?

 

[festaedan]

I agree, have you seen any in the area before?

 

[Zeppelin2088]

Never seen one like that.


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[ddavila06]

is pretty...

 

[Sonny Disposition]

That ain't no bullhead.

 

[Thai]

Baby flathead

 

[Zeppelin2088]

What's wrong with its skin though?


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[b considine]

Assuming it is a flathead, and I certainly am not an expert, the mottled coloration seems to match pictures on Planet Catfish.
http://www.planetcatfish.com/common/species.php?species_id=262

Blaise

 

[Andrew]

Just like in aquaria, if there is fighting amongst fish and/or other critters OR poor water quality a fish may have patches of skin that are infected with something. "Naked" catfish like this are particularly susceptible to chemical burns from polluted water. I've caught channel cats in the Potomac that looked terrible from all the gunk that gets dumped into that river.

 

[festaedan]

Just like in aquaria, if there is fighting amongst fish and/or other critters OR poor water quality a fish may have patches of skin that are infected with something. "Naked" catfish like this are particularly susceptible to chemical burns from polluted water. I've caught channel cats in the Potomac that looked terrible from all the gunk that gets dumped into that river.

I agree, the potomac and many other rivers get pretty dirty, thats probably why the poor fella looks so sick, maybe he got in a fight with another catfish and the wounds got infected.