In a recent interview, ecology expert Kutsokon emphasized that even if catfish (“somy”) grew as large as 500 kg, they would pose no threat to humans or ecosystems in Ukraine. She clarified that while folklore sometimes mentions massive fish, the evidence doesn’t support it.
What do scientists say?
The European catfish (Silurus glanis)—the largest freshwater fish in Ukraine and Europe—can grow up to 5 m and weigh around 100 kg when 80–100 years old. However, specimens over 100 kg are now extremely rare due to overfishing and environmental pressure.
There are occasional anecdotal reports of catfish claiming weights up to 300 kg or lengths up to 4 m, including sightings in lakes of the Shatsky National Park. One ichthyologist reported seeing a catfish nearly 4 m long during spawning season in Lake Svityaz 2. Still, these remain exceptional and unverified.
Is 500 kg realistic?
According to Kutsokon, even if a catfish reached 500 kg, it wouldn’t threaten humans, but such size remains firmly in the realm of myth. Documented records do not support such enormous sizes; the recent largest confirmed Ukrainian catch was ~140 kg in 2023.
Ecological role of catfish
These catfish are important scavengers and predators: they feed on weakened or dead fish, amphibians, birds, and small mammals, helping maintain ecological balance. They may also exhibit cannibalism, particularly targeting juvenile catfish.
Mature at around 3–4 years (1–2 kg), spawn in late spring to early summer, and favor depths of 0.4–2.5 m for spawning zones—often shallow vegetated areas along riverbanks.
Conclusion
In summary, while Ukrainian waters historically had tales of monster catfish—even up to 500 kg—no reliable evidence confirms these sizes today. Expert Kutsokon insists that such sizes would still be harmless, and scientists confirm that the largest real catfish in Ukraine reach around 100–150 kg. Reports of bigger fish remain unverified and likely exaggerated.
Comments
Post a Comment