Biwa Catfishビワコオオナマズ
Silurus biwaensisEN— Endangered
The giant Lake Biwa catfish is a large, elongated predator found nowhere else on Earth but Lake Biwa and its outflow rivers in Japan. As the apex predator of the lake, it preys on fish such as ayu and crucian carp, and Japanese folklore has long linked catfish like this one to the prediction of earthquakes.
Biwa Catfish (reference photo)
Species Data
- Classification
- Siluriformes / Siluridae Source
- Size
- Maximum total length about 1.18–1.2 m
- Weight
- Up to about 17–20 kg
- Lifespan
- Large wild individuals have reached 20 years
- Diet
- Carnivore Strongly piscivorous, preying on ayu, Biwa trout, crucian carp, bluegill, frogs, and similar animals
- Distribution
- Endemic to Lake Biwa and its outflow, the Yodo River system (including the Seta and Uji Rivers), in Japan. Source
- Sources
- ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org
Did You Know?
- It is the largest predatory fish in Lake Biwa, sitting at the top of the lake's food chain, and grows relatively quickly, reaching 60 to 80 cm in length within 4 to 5 years. Source
- Telemetry studies show individuals are largely site-faithful, staying close to their spawning grounds, and local folklore holds that the catfish become unusually active before earthquakes, echoing Japan's broader namazu (catfish) earthquake mythology. Source
Where to See This Species
Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 1
Lake Biwa MuseumShigaGet off at Kusatsu Station on the JR Biwako Line (about 20 minutes from Kyoto by special rapid train).
Source links to official sites, official YouTube channels, and news aggregators such as Zoo Ring. Visit the publisher for the full item.
Conservation Story
Conservation Status
Endangered (EN)
Sources
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FAQ
- How big does the giant Lake Biwa catfish get?
- It can reach up to about 1.18 to 1.2 meters in length and weigh as much as 17 to 20 kilograms, making it the largest predatory fish in Lake Biwa. Source
- Where is the giant Lake Biwa catfish found?
- It is endemic to Lake Biwa and its outflow, the Yodo River system, and is not found naturally anywhere else in the world. Source
- How many operating facilities are registered here?
- Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 1 Source
Books & gear
Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org