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ictalurid
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ictalurid

fish
Also known as: Ictaluridae
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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History

ictalurid, any fish of the family Ictaluridae, which includes about 50 species of North and Central American freshwater catfishes. Ictalurids are “typical” catfishes, with large, wide heads, tapering, scaleless bodies, and eight prominent mouth barbels. The family includes the channel and other North American catfishes (see catfish), as well as the madtom and bullhead (qq.v.) groups.

This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.