Life at Manatee springs

[Ed Jackson]

I saw this catfish in the cave behind the headspring at Manatee. Any idea what it is? The eyes look blue so I'm not sure if it is an albino. It was very noticeable swimming among the normal colored catfish.

[Bill Rotella]

That's my buddy the incredible Mr. Limpet!

[Cave Ranger]

Well, if my great uncle Willie was still alive and commercial catfishing the Tennesaw river he would declare this a "Blue Cat".
Every catfish he caught was named after whatever color it was. Grey Cat, Yellow Cat, Silver Cat, etc.
Thanks to my uncle Willies lack of a degree in Ichthyology, up until my early teens I refered to every albino catfish as White Cats regardless of the actual species.
BUT!! I think this is the actual non albino species of White Catfish "Ameiurus catus" It is very similar to the Channel Cat "Ictalurus punctatus" but it has no speckles and doesn't grow as large.
I'm not positive as it's difficult to see the exact distinguishing features but this is my best guess.
The important thing though is that they all look pretty much the same dipped in eggwash, rolled in cornmeal and Tony Chachere's creole seasoning, and fried in canola oil. With a side of cheese grits so thick you can cut em with a knife, fried okra and cole slaw....Man that's good eatin'!!

[billyf]

That's my buddy the incredible Mr. Limpet!

I just watched that last week


AAAAAAArrrrrrrAAAAAA

[Kenny P.]

I saw this catfish in the cave behind the headspring at Manatee. Any idea what it is? The eyes look blue so I'm not sure if it is an albino. It was very noticeable swimming among the normal colored catfish.

Ed,
With just the one picture, I'd guess it is a Black Bullhead. Not much fork in the tail, wide head, both good indications for this species. We country folk call them all Mud Cats, i.e., Black Bullhead, Yellow Bullhead, and Brown Bullhead. They are prevalent in the north Florida caves, as well as Alabama rivers. They eat good and, the rumor that they have a muddy taste is Bullcrap, not to be confused with Bullhead!
Bless,
Kenny P.

[Ed Jackson]

Thanks Kenny.

That's not the usual color is it? I was wondering if it is an albino or just a color variant.

There is a white alligator in the Florida aquarium that is not an albino because it has blue eyes. The staff said it was a rare color variant that usually prevents the alligator from maturing because it isn’t camouflaged.
They are usually eaten before they grow to a larger size. Do you think this is the same type of variant?

[Daedalus]

I have also seen this Zombie Catfish in Manatee and was wondering if it was a different species, albino, or diseased...

[Kenny P.]

Thanks Kenny.

That's not the usual color is it? I was wondering if it is an albino or just a color variant.

There is a white alligator in the Florida aquarium that is not an albino because it has blue eyes. The staff said it was a rare color variant that usually prevents the alligator from maturing because it isn’t camouflaged.
They are usually eaten before they grow to a larger size. Do you think this is the same type of variant?

Ed,
As far as I know the Bullheads get their name from their coloration, which varies by habitat. This fish might be an anomaly, but I'd guess just really light due to his environment. I'm not a marine biologist or fish doc and have mostly enjoyed these guys coming out of hot grease
Bless,
Kenny P.