Unlike cats and dogs, whose whiskers are made of hair, catfish have special whisker-like feelers made of skin. These sensitive feelers are called “barbels." Each barbel is loaded with tiny taste buds and special olfactory sensors to help the fish smell. read more
Unlike cats and dogs, whose whiskers are made of hair, catfish have special whisker-like feelers made of skin. These sensitive feelers are called “ barbels." Each barbel is loaded with tiny taste buds and special olfactory sensors to help the fish smell. read more
Catfish have derived these specialized “whiskers” called barbels to fill a niche. This could possibly have been to remain competitive against other more aggressive fish that may have out-competed them for food sources. read more
CATFISH WHISKERS ARE HARMLESS. They’re soft, pliable and touching them or having them touch you is no different than touching the whiskers on a dog. There’s absolutely no concern with being stung by catfish whiskers, they’re not going to hurt you. The areas of concern in regard to being “hurt” or “stung” are the dorsal and pectoral fins. read more