Marine life profile
Catfish
Recorded at 398 dive sitesWhere divers encounter it
Explore Catfish around the world
Catfish are a diverse group of ray-finned fish of the order Siluriformes (historically Nematognathi). It follows a daily rhythm of feeding, sheltering and interacting with rivals, partners or a larger school.
Meet the species
What to look for
How to Recognize It
Use body shape, fin outline, color pattern and swimming style to separate it from the surrounding reef community.
How It Behaves
It follows a daily rhythm of feeding, sheltering and interacting with rivals, partners or a larger school.
Special Ability
Precise fins and a body shaped for its niche let it turn, hover or accelerate exactly where food and shelter demand.
Dive responsibly
Share the water well
How to Approach
Move slowly at the same depth, avoid swimming directly at it and let the fish resume its normal behavior.
Safety
Usually safe to observe at a respectful distance. Never feed, corner or touch a fish, especially near nests or cleaning stations.
Worth knowing
The detail you remember
Interesting Facts
Catfish are named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, though not all catfish have prominent barbels.
Where to Find
Look around coral structure, rocky reef, wrecks and current lines where shelter and food meet.
Known countries
Sightings map
Catfish locations
Plan a dive
Dive sites with reported encounters
Dorfbach / Schulhaus
Switzerland
There is a lot of life going on at this diving site in a small space and at a small depth. A lot can be found underwater via hunting pike, overhanging underwater flora, backward-swimming crabs and hidden catfish. Parking is permitted on the gravel lot outside of class times for a fee. There is a toilet block in the immediate vicinity. A platform is located at a depth of approximately 5 m, ideal for training and exercises. You are not allowed to dive into the scions and you are not allowed to dive near the sprigs between April 15th and May 15th.
Philadelphia Quarry
United States
Philadelphia Quarry, Tennessee's premier diving site for all scuba divers. The Quarry is equipped with his and her changing and restrooms. Things you will see - Bass - Bluegill - Cat Fish - 6 Boats at various depths 30'-65' - Platforms at 16' 20' 25' 30' and 74' -Buoyancy course and more!!!
The Monument
Australia
Have a look at the entry/exit before gearing up because the seas can make this spot hard to get in and out of. Assuming the seas are favourable, a good entry point is down the track onto the rock platform, where you will find in a small inlet. With many boulders and rock walls, you should find balls of Catfish, Wobbegongs, Bream, Cuttlefish, Moray eels and Old wives. Weedy sea dragons are the star of the show here as well as the chance to see Pygmy pipe horses. You will also see Nudibranches-a-plenty and lots of soft life such as Feather duster worms, ascidians and a range of corals.
Toolenburgerplas
Netherlands
Op drie locaties, op 3, 7 en 10 meter diep, zijn vijf grote rifbollen afgezonken. Op de rifbollen gaan verschillende soorten sponzen, zoetwater poliepjes en driehoeksmosselen groeien, wat aantrekkelijk is voor vissen en ander leven. Ook is er een platform, wrakjes en wilgenmatten en diverse andere objecten te vinden net als baars, karper en snoek.
White Star Quarry
United States
Diving at White Star Quarry is considered to be the best inland diving that Northern Ohio has to offer. White Star is place to dive that is local, convenient and understands that recreational activities are important to you. It is also a place where we can bring our non-diving friends and family with us, without having to pay to have them sit and watch.
Barragem do Paranoa
Brazil
This dive site entry is normally made via the coast. Thermoclines are present that vary from 26°C, until 9 meters, and 21°C at 18 meters; visibility varies between 2 and 5 meters.
Boone Dam
United States
The new Boone Reservoir Day Use Area officially opened on May 21, 2016. It features a white sand beach and swim area along with a new boat ramp, walking trails, a pavilion, picnic tables with grills, fishing pier, a volleyball court and restrooms.
Buford Spring
United States
Buford Spring is located in a swampy area of the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area in Hernando County, FL. Divers must check in at an iron ranger at the main entrance off US 19 and pay a $3.00 daily fee. The maximum depth is about 50 mtr/165 feet at the siphoning downstream end of the main cavern/cave.
Cenote Angelita
Mexico
Scuba diving in Cenote Angelita, located approximately 17 km south of Tulum, offers a surreal and unforgettable experience for advanced divers.
Cenote Chac Mool
Mexico
Scuba diving in Cenote Chac Mool offers a mesmerizing experience, combining crystal-clear waters, stunning light effects, and intricate limestone formations
Cenote Dos Palmas
Mexico
1.5 Km (about 1 mile) from the Dos Ojos Park entrance. Cenote with no cavern line, only cave diving and training. Ring of freshwater with a maximum depth of 5 meters. Open water and overhead environment.
Cenote El Pit
Mexico
DEEP DIVE BUT NOT OVERHEAD , HYDROGEN SULFIDE CLOUD AND AMAZING ROCK FORMATIONS , BEAUTIFUL LIGHT ENTRY’S , THE STEPS DOWN TO THE ENTRY COULD BE A BIT SLIPPERY, RECOMMENDED TO USE BOOTS. THE WATER PRESENTS A STRONG HALOCLINE. ICE ICE MAMMALS REMAINS HAVE BEEN FOUND THERE
Cenote Kukulcan
Mexico
Features a vast cavern with light beams filtering through, illuminating the underwater landscape. Visibility: Generally excellent, with clear waters enhancing the diving experience.Conditions: Water temperature remains around 25°C (77°F) year-round.
Cenote Kukulkan
Mexico
Cenote Kukulkan is the perfect cenote for the first time. A very beautiful and large light-filled area. Here you will see a beautiful light laser show in perfect weather.
Cenote Maravillas
Mexico
Scuba diving in Cenote Maravilla, located near Puerto Morelos on the Yucatán Peninsula, offers an extraordinary experience for advanced divers seeking unique underwater landscapes.
Cenote Nicte Ha
Mexico
In the Ejido Jacinto Pat, on the same road as Cenote Dos Ojos, Cenote the Pit, Nicte ha, and a few others. 10 minutes north of Tulum. Average depth is 4-5 meters, must have very good buoyancy to enjoy this dive.
Cenote Nohoch Nah Chich
Mexico
Nohoch Nah Chich, meaning “Giant Bird House” in Maya, is one of the most impressive cenote dive sites in the Riviera Maya. It forms part of the vast Sistema Sac Actun, one of the longest underwater cave systems in the world.
Cenote Tajma Ha
Mexico
The cenote Tajma Ha is very popular because of its beautiful halocline and its great light. During the dive you experience three very different cenotes, because you dive from Tajma Ha to Cenote Sugarbowl and from there to Cenote Esmeralda. All three give very different impressions.
Cenote Zapote (Hells Bells)
Mexico
Renowned for its distinctive bell-shaped formations, this cenote offers a captivating experience for divers and nature enthusiasts alike. Cenote Zapote, also known as “Hell’s Bells,“ is a unique underwater cavern located near Puerto Morelos
Crystal Cliffs
South Africa
This is an excellent dive for beginner divers and is situated between M & M and Cohens corner and is a shallow cliff dive. It was named after a large piece of quartz.
DiveTeam Siecino
Poland
The Dive Team Diving Base on Lake Siecino is a great place to start your diving adventure. There are comfortable piers near the water and special stands prepared for divers to place their equipment. The tank is especially suitable for beginner divers.
FALASTOACA Diving Point
Romania
A place for recreational and technical diving, of medium to advanced difficulty, very close to Bucharest. Courses can be organized for diving in conditions of reduced visibility, cave diving, or wreck diving. The place is also known as “Rey’s Lock“.
Fundao Rio Parana
Brazil
At this point, the Paraná River is approximately 1.5 km wide, and this crevice is 200m wide, 1.5km long, and 17m deep. This site offers multi-level diving, with a moderate to strong current. It requires experience and skill in currents, a local guide is required.
Half Moon Beach (Quarry)Not Open to Public
United States
Private quarry NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC in Mitchell, IN. Maximum depth of 55 feet, shore entry, platforms, lines, statues, and sunken boats/objects for training participants to enjoy. This quarry used to be a public beach in the 1960s, and steadily became more exclusive as ownership changed hands.