Catfish barbels (whiskers)?

Question

i have been told that the whiskers on a catfish sting, and i have been told that they dont. which is correct

heres a pic

http://www.ri.net/schools/East_Greenwich/Eldredge/catfish.jpg

Answer 1

The barbels are soft fleshy whiskers that do NOT sting. They are just part of their sensory glands that make them aplha scavengers.   What a cat does possess is typically three very sharp spines ( one on the dorsal, and one on each pectoral fin.) They don't string per say, but are very sharp (and serrated on a channel catfish) and can cut/poke you. And it does hurt/burn when they injure you.

The catfish is slimy and the cuts can get easily infected.  Saltwater catfish punctures can cause a reaction in some people due to the toxins in their bodies.

Answer 2

There is a bacteria in the slime coat, that if you do accidentally get stuck may cause an infection. Infection or not, if you get stuck, it's gonna hurt. Keep the wound clean.

Answer 3

they dont sting but they are sharp

Answer 4

Catfish barbells DO NOT STING. They are used to sense disruptions in the water to help them find prey or food. however. the Dorsal Fin (top fin) and pectoral fins (side fins) do contain a very sharp barb that cuts on contact. This barb also carries a mild venom that can cause severe pain for quite a few hours. Also, Opal 1331 is correct in saying that due to the bacteria in the water and on the fish, these cuts can become infected.

  The reason the catfish has these is for protection. if another fish comes to eath them the fins become very rigid and point out. when the fish or animal bites down, well you can imagine the pain. As catfish get older they loose some of the sharpness to the barbells but be weary. Catfish weighing under 15 lbs are armed to do damage.

  One more note. Do not let this turn you off to fishing for them. I have caught my fair share of catfish but learning how to handle them is easy. Once you get the hang of it you'll be good. Personally I haven't been stung in over 10 years

Answer 5

All catfish, except members of Malapteruridae (electric catfish), possess a strong, hollow, bonified leading spine-like ray on their dorsal and pectoral fins. As a defense, these spines may be locked into place so that they stick outwards, which can inflict severe wounds.[4] In several species catfish can use these fin rays to deliver a stinging protein if the fish is irritated.[27] This venom is produced by glandular cells in the epidermal tissue covering the spines.[2] In members of the family ("Plotosidae = Striped Eel catfish"), and of the (genus Heteropneustes = Airbreatheing catfish such as the "Walking catfish"), this protein is so strong it may hospitalize humans unfortunate enough to receive a sting; in Plotosus lineatus, the stings may result in death.[

Answer 6

I don't need a picture as i've handled plenty of catfish in my life.  They do not sting, but these are very sharp bones, and if one gets through your skin, it does hurt, and will for a while, so it may as well be a sting.  You have to miss handle the fish because they do not and cannot direct these bones to inflict pain or damage.

Sometimes due to the fish and surrounding dirty water, these punctures can infect, so caution and cleaning is necessary.