albino channel cat

[goblueM]

I was flyfishing a river in SE Michigan over the 4th, and saw an albino channel cat. Wish I had time to go catch him, all I have is a blurry underwater pic and a blurry above-water pic. If you squint real hard you can see the outline (cue the xfiles music). It really was awesome looking, swam right by me

[DTro]

I think they are called white cats and not true albinos, or at least that is what I remember reading somewhere.

[Steve Foss]

There is a white catfish species. It's Ameiurus catus. It's mostly an eastern U.S. cat, but they've been widely introduced in other areas.

The pics don't really allow an ID, but albinism is possible in any animal Ransom species. Sorry, for some reason, the word k-i-n-g-d-o-m was changed to Ransom by the word filter.

[goblueM]

nope no white cats in this drainage, 1000% positive a white-phase channel catfish. I can't speak to albinism but absolutely pure white channel catfish. Not even the right family, it was definitely Ictalurus. I saw him at 4 feet. I should hope I know a channel cat when I see it, given that I'm researching catfish for my fisheries degree...

White catfish are very distinct, and this was not a white catfish - I've caught them, they are tough to confuse with channel cats, and they are not even native to the state, nor do any records exist of them in this river.

I KNEW I should have skipped a day of work to go back and catch it to prove doubters wrong

[CarpinMNRiver]

It looks like a smallmouth bass.

[pureinsanity]

It looks like a smallmouth bass.

[nsnutter]

I was thinking more along the lines of a state record rock bass! You should go catch it and toss it in the freezer til you can get it certified ;-)

[mainbutter]

I don't doubt it, I've seen albino channel kitties at live fish shops, and they are specifically bred for by some fish farms. Doesn't surprise me to have a few in the wild

Great sighting, must have been really cool!

[pureinsanity]