Catfish

What Is Catfish?

Catfish (Silurus glanis) is a large freshwater fish that lives in lakes and slow-flowing rivers and has scaleless, slippery skin. It is recognized by the long barbels around its mouth and is common in Türkiye’s rivers and reservoirs.

Because it has few fine pin bones apart from its main backbone, it is considered nearly boneless; its fatty, white flesh is used grilled, steamed, or pan-fried. Depending on its habitat, it can sometimes have a slight muddy smell.

Catfish Nutrition

One hundred grams of raw catfish contains about 95 kcal of energy, 16.4 g of protein, and 2.8 g of fat; it is a source of vitamin B12 and phosphorus. It is a mildly flavored fish with a moderate fat content.

What Are the Benefits of Catfish?

With its high-quality protein, B12, and phosphorus, catfish can be part of a balanced diet; its few bones make it a convenient fish to eat.

This information is general; catfish is a food, not a medical treatment.

How to Choose Catfish

Fresh catfish has shiny, slippery skin, clear eyes, firm flesh, and a clean smell. Fish raised in clean water tend to have less of a muddy smell.

• The skin should be shiny and moist, and the eyes clear
• The flesh should be firm enough not to retain a fingerprint
• A strong bottom or muddy smell can indicate staleness or poor water quality

How to Store Catfish

Keep fresh catfish on ice in the refrigerator for 1–2 days; it can be cleaned and frozen for months. Soaking it in water with vinegar and lemon before cooking reduces the muddy smell.

How to Use Catfish in the Kitchen

Catfish can be grilled, steamed, roasted, or pan-fried; its few bones also make it suitable for skewers and fillet recipes. Its fatty flesh works especially well on the grill.

How to Remove a Muddy Smell

Soak the cleaned fish in cold water with vinegar or lemon juice for 20–30 minutes; this greatly reduces the muddy smell in freshwater fish.

How to Make Catfish Skewers

Marinate cubed catfish in olive oil, lemon, and spices, thread it onto skewers, and cook it on the grill, turning it as it cooks; because it has few bones, it holds together on the skewer.

What Recipes Use Catfish?

Grilled catfish, catfish skewers, steamed catfish, and roasted catfish are among the best-known preparations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does catfish have bones?

It has few fine pin bones apart from the main backbone, so it is considered nearly boneless and is convenient for fillets and skewers.

Why does catfish smell muddy?

Because it feeds near the bottoms of lakes and rivers, its flesh can sometimes have a slight bottom or muddy smell; soaking it in water with vinegar and lemon removes this smell.

Is catfish a saltwater fish?

No; catfish is a freshwater fish that lives in lakes and rivers.

Should you skin catfish?

It has scaleless, slippery skin and is generally skinned before cooking, which improves both its texture and flavor.

Is catfish farm-raised?

Yes; catfish is one of the freshwater fish farmed around the world, so it is available year-round.