The Albino Channel Cat, also known as the Stinging Catfish or just Plain Channel Catfish is a large funny looking fish. It makes for an interesting and entertaining addition to any aquarium, not only because of its looks, but also because of its behavior.

Channel Catfish are a peaceful animal, but a predator by nature. They will hunt and eat any fish small enough to fit into their mouth that they are kept with. Otherwise, they are a solitary fish that will generally not bother other tank mates. The Channel Catfish is fun to watch because it likes to dig into the gravel, which can sometimes make a mess. Their environment should not have any sharp features, since the Channel Catfish will be likely to cut itself while digging around. Channel Catfish should have course gravel as a substrate, as dirt or finer particles will make their tank murky from the constant digging. Live plants are acceptable as long as they can withstand the constant digging. They should also have plenty of hiding places. Like other Catfish, Channel Catfish are mostly active at night and their tank should have low lighting levels. Tthis fish is most suitable to a public aquariumm, and not the average hobbyist's tank. This is mostly due to its large size.

The Channel Catfish is a large fish and at maturity will reach an average size of four feet. It has a depressed head, with large protruding eyes. Channel Catfish have varying colors, from albino to dark gray. Their bellies, however, are always a light, pasty white color. If a Channel Catfish has a darker skin tone, it will probably fade to albino as it matures. Small black spots will be present on some Channel Catfish. Channel Catfish have a deeply forked tail fin, which is what distinguishes it from other species of Catfish, except for the Blue Catfish, which also has a forked tail fin. The Channel Catfish has 24 to 29 rays in its anal fin. Maturity will be reached in two to three years.

Channel Catfish are found in North America, mostly to the east of the Rocky Mountains. They range from southern Canada to northern Mexico. They are found in large streams with slow flowing current. They are illegal in several states, including Arizona, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Being a predator, the Channel Catfish should be fed live foods, such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, earthworms and other small fish. It will eat freeze-dried, pellet and tablet food, occasionally. They can withstand ranging water conditions, with temperatures ranging from 50 to 74 degrees fahrenheit, and pH levels from 6 to 8. Channel Catfish can survive in near freezing water conditions.

Because of its large size this fish is not suitable for most home aquariums.

Channel Catfish rarely breed in captivity, though breeding is possible. It has been reported that it can only be done in very large aquariums or ponds. The female lays her eggs in a hole dug by the parents. Channel Catfish are said to do well in outdoor ponds so long as the water doesn't freeze solid to the ground during the winter season.

In the wild their spawning season is during the summer, when the water is the warmest. They will lay their eggs in dark, secluded spots. Their eggs are in a gelatinous, yellow mass and will be guarded by the male. However, the male may eat some of the eggs. The uneaten eggs hatch after roughly one week. The male will also protect the fry. Channel Catfish that are smaller than four inches will eat small insects.