Catfish

Fish

Catfish

Catfish covers many freshwater species with moist mild white flesh, a mild to earthy flavour, and a firm flake. US channel catfish and Vietnamese basa/tra dominate global trade; wild fish vary more with water quality. Cornmeal frying is iconic in the American South; fillets also blacken, grill, stew, and braise in Asian and African cookery. Skin-on portions crisp well. Thick fillets need even heat so the centre cooks without drying edges.

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Unit

Cuts & parts

Breeds & varieties

A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.

View all

Characteristics

Preparations

BlanchedChilledCuredDicedDriedFermentedFreshFrozenGrilledHalvedMincedPickledRoastedSaltedSlicedSmokedSteamedWhole

Provenance

ASC CertifiedDay BoatFree SwumHand FilletedHook and LineLine-CaughtMSC CertifiedOrganicPole-CaughtResponsibly SourcedSeasonalSustainable

Sources

AquacultureIndoor FarmedOutdoor FarmedWild

Traits

FirmLeanMildMoistPaleSweet

Nutrition and pairings

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 132

Amount per 100 g

  • Total Fat 5.01 g
  • Saturated Fat 0.92 g
  • Trans Fat 0 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 2.02 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 2.13 g
  • Cholesterol 59.1 mg
  • Sodium 82.1 mg
  • Salt 0.21 g
  • Total Carbohydrate 0 g
  • Dietary Fibre 0 g
  • Total Sugars 0 g
  • Complex / starch 0 g
  • Protein 20.4 g
  • Water 75.7 g
Detailed nutrients

Fish flesh is lean to oily depending on species; marine omega-3s rise in fatty fish.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Catfish.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

Grading systems

Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.

United States

USDA / USDC

History

Riverine cultures worldwide took catfish as accessible freshwater protein.

US

Southern US frying and stewing traditions centred on wild and pond catfish.

US

Mississippi Delta aquaculture industrialised channel catfish for national markets.

VN

Mekong pangasius farming supplied inexpensive white fillets to global retail.

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