Mmmm .... catfish.

August 26, 2005 7:49 AM

Damn, I likes me some catfish! The Giant Mekong Catfish isn't the only big fish to be found, though. Sadly, the behemoth is facing extinction, largely due to overfishing. Fortunately, some are working on saving the fish. Of course, fish aren't only found in the water.
posted by monju_bosatsu (19 comments total)

I'm only posting this because I like the URL so much.

This I'm posting 'cause it's gooood!

I'm sorry, did someone say "scientific content?" Did someone say "extinction?" 'Cause I distinctly heard "fish fry."
posted by OmieWise at 8:00 AM on August 26, 2005

.
posted by Citizen Premier at 8:00 AM on August 26, 2005

Oh, keep the recipes coming. I have 600 pounds of catfish left to eat.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 8:01 AM on August 26, 2005

I want two things at this moment:

1) For the Giant Mekong Catfish to have a long and prosperous reign as a thriving species in its natural habitat.

2) Sashimi.
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:05 AM on August 26, 2005

Is Fried Catfish a Southern thing? Because when I first heard this story, that's the first thing I heard of, as well. (Actually, my first thought was a mental calculation about how much corn meal that fucker would need to fry it up).

However, my friend from Hoboken who just recently moved to Dallas told me that she never had catfish before and wondered where the heck we find fish like that in the U.S. I was floored: she had never had catfish. I thought fried catfish was as American as apple pie.
posted by dios at 8:10 AM on August 26, 2005

It's pretty much Southern, which still makes it as American as apple pie, just no ubiquitous.

Is your friend Black? It seems like a lot of southern foods were brought north during African American migrations post Civil War. The people I know who eat catfish in the North are Black.
posted by OmieWise at 8:13 AM on August 26, 2005

Should have included this in the post: Catfish Courtbouillon. Had some yesterday at Dwyer's Cafe, a Lafayette staple since the '20s.
posted by monju_bosatsu at 8:13 AM on August 26, 2005

Mekong giant catfish attract high prices in Thailand, because eating the fish is supposed to bring good luck.

So unlucky fish bring good luck.
posted by three blind mice at 8:14 AM on August 26, 2005

So unlucky fish bring good luck.

Naturally. After all, how lucky is a rabbit who's had all its feet cut off?
posted by Faint of Butt at 8:24 AM on August 26, 2005

This I'm posting cuz they're amazing....
posted by mrhappysad at 8:41 AM on August 26, 2005

Mekong giant catfish attract high prices in Thailand, because eating the fish is supposed to bring good luck.

Is it just me, or is it that every time we hear about a threatened species in Asia or Africa we hear that it's being hunted for some tribal or traditional purpose? I think it may be a tad bit--although inadvertently--racist.

I suspect the sellers of the catfish simply say that it'll bring good luck to boost sales, just as it happens in America. Take the diet coke ads, for example--while they don't say directly "drinking diet coke brings you happiness," they show people who look really happy drinking diet coke, and our brain makes the connection.

I'd be willing to bet that the average asian sees through all the "brings good luck-better sex life-happiness" bullshit at the same rate whites dismiss our advertising.
posted by Citizen Premier at 8:42 AM on August 26, 2005

dios, there's fried catfish a lot of places but I think it's less popular where there aren't a lot of freshwater areas. In other words, catfish is probably readily available in every state that has more lakes and rivers than coastline. That and the Mississippi River delta area, they love the catfish down there.

I really can't think of sashimi when I see that catfish, though. Most of the fish you'd want to eat raw aren't nasty bottom feeders. Catfish have some tough skin too.
posted by mikeh at 8:44 AM on August 26, 2005

Is Fried Catfish a Southern thing?

Don't forget about the common techniques for cooking fish.
A fish with pink meat is usually prepared by backing. A fish with white meat is usually prepared by skillet or fryer.
posted by thomcatspike at 10:42 AM on August 26, 2005

Oh Hells Yeah Catfish is Good!

I grew up in Dallas and every time I go back Fried Catfish is one of the 1st things I eat. Fried Catfish, Fried Okra, Mashed Potatoes With Cream Gravy, Biscuits & Honey... okay, I'm going to lunch now.
posted by Fuzzy Monster at 10:47 AM on August 26, 2005

Of course, fish aren't only found in the water. - The Captain Wylie is a 20' long fiberglass walleye
Walleye is the best fresh water fish I've eaten.
posted by thomcatspike at 10:49 AM on August 26, 2005

I'd be willing to bet that the average asian sees through all the "brings good luck-better sex life-happiness" bullshit at the same rate whites dismiss our advertising.

You'd be surprised how superstitious Thais are.
posted by the cuban at 11:10 AM on August 26, 2005

Don't forget this: Catfish Grabblin'.
posted by captainscared at 2:19 PM on August 26, 2005

Oh man, I came here to post my link about catching giant catfish by hand (here in the Ozarks we call it noodling). But Captainscared's link totally blows mine away!
posted by LarryC at 9:00 PM on August 26, 2005

re the third link:
Some amazing fish, there. But did anybody else notice that they only note the "Fate" of the fish if it was released?
posted by brundlefly at 10:18 PM on August 26, 2005