Giant catfish in the Oder. How did it survive the ecological disaster?

Michał Chełkowski, an angler from Gryfino, did not expect that while fishing near the Pioneers’ Bridge, he would pull a real giant from the Oder – a catfish measuring 252 cm! The photos confirm the scale of the catch, and online comments are full of admiration, disbelief… and questions: is the Oder really recovering?

Oder catfish and its impressive tail

The European catfish (Silurus glanis) is the largest freshwater predatory fish in Poland. This species has been recorded in the Oder for centuries, mainly in areas with calmer currents and more hiding places.

Although the national angling records reach up to 270 cm, the specimen caught by Michał Chełkowski certainly deserves admiration – such large catfish are rarely seen in Poland. Considering that young catfish grow at a rate of about 2–3 cm per month, the fish caught must have been quite old, possibly several decades.

Interestingly, the catfish’s body is completely scaleless, and its skin is covered only by a protective slimy coating. Its tail makes up as much as 60 percent of the fish’s total length, allowing it to perform a unique backward-swimming maneuver similar to that of eels.

How did the catfish survive the ecological disaster?

In the context of the 2022 ecological disaster in the Oder, the question arises: how could the catfish survive the toxic bloom of golden algae? Experts explain that large catfish are more resistant to short-term oxygen shortages, and their lifestyle – bottom-dwelling, nocturnal, energy-conserving – helps them survive in difficult conditions.

Catfish are able to hide in deep hollows or bays with better oxygen levels and are naturally characterized by high vitality and a strong will to live. Most likely, the giant caught in early June found its own niche and waited out the worst in it.

The giant catfish was released back into the river

Michał Chełkowski emphasizes that the fish was released back into the river in accordance with the popular angling principle of “catch & release.” This practice is especially common in the case of trophy fish and species of great ecological importance. Since catfish grow throughout their entire lives, the released giant still has a chance to grow even bigger and potentially become the new Polish record holder.

So far, the officially largest catfish in Poland was a specimen caught in 2017, measuring 259 cm and weighing 105.5 kg.

Is the Oder recovering from the ecological disaster?

Catching such a magnificent catfish may be a positive sign – the Oder is alive. Even in this optimistic scenario, it’s important to remember that the river still teeters on the edge between recovery and further ecological threats.

Brine from nearby mines is still being discharged into the Oder, raising the river’s overall salinity level, which, combined with rising temperatures, promotes the bloom of golden algae. The coming months will show whether nature can defend itself against another disaster. The record-breaking catfish caught in the Oder is unfortunately not proof that everything is fine – but rather that there’s still something worth fighting for.

main photo credit: Michał Chełkowski