Wels catfish

The Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) is a large freshwater fish native to rivers and lakes across much of Europe and western Asia. It is distinguished by its scaleless body, broad head, and long barbels.

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Siluridae: A family of freshwater catfishes native to Eurasia and Africa. The Wels catfish is the largest member of this catfish family.
Ambush predator: A predator that waits for prey before attacking suddenly at close range. Wels catfish often rely on stealth and rapid strikes to capture prey.
Recreational fishing: Fishing undertaken for leisure rather than commercial production. Wels catfish are prized by anglers for their size and strength.
Po River: A major river in northern Italy flowing eastward into the Adriatic Sea. Its introduced Wels catfish population is known for exceptionally large individuals.
European eel: A migratory eel native to European and North African waters. Unlike the Wels catfish, it has a long, snake-like body and migrates to spawn at sea.
Catfish: An order of ray-finned fishes characterized by barbels and often scaleless skin. The Wels catfish belongs to this diverse order of freshwater fishes.
Fish lateral line: A sensory system that detects water movement and pressure changes around a fish. It helps this nocturnal predator locate prey through vibrations.
Commercial fishing: The harvesting of aquatic animals for sale and human consumption. The species is caught and sold as food in parts of its native range.
Ebro River: A river in northeastern Spain that flows into the Mediterranean Sea. Introduced Wels catfish have become prominent predators in its ecosystem.
Northern pike: A large predatory freshwater fish native to the Northern Hemisphere. Both are major freshwater predators, but the pike has a pointed snout and different body form.