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This is one of the State's most common freshwater fishes of coastal rivers and streams, inland waterways, dams and reservoirs; and, despite popular prejudice is a very good table-fish. The body coloration is strikingly mottled, varying from olive-green to a reddish-brown. The mouth is surrounded by a series of sensitive barbels or "whiskers" which probably contribute to its name. It is one of our few native species that breed and grow satisfactorily in small dams. It feeds on a wide range of freshwater invertebrates, notably mussels, prawns, yabbies, and worms.
During late spring or early summer, pairs may commence courtship, building a circular nest up to 2 m in diameter in a bed of coarse gravel. In fact, nesting material - including even pieces of glass and broken crockery - may be brought in from nearby areas and added to the nest. The pale greenish-yellow eggs sink to the bottom of the excavation and are tended by one of the parents (usually the male) which fans the nest with its tail to keep the developing eggs aerated.
Hatching of the 7-mm larvae occurs in about 7 days. The Freshwater Catfish reaches a length of 900 mm and a weight of 7 kg but is usually taken at 1.4 - 1.8 kg. It is a good fighter when hooked on light gear. The flesh is white and very well-flavoured; the fish should be bled by cutting off the tip of the tail and hanging by the head before being skinned and filleted in preparation for the table. Some western residents prefer the edible qualities of this Catfish to the more aristocratic Golden Perch or Yellowbelly.
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