Cat vs. Catfish — What's the Difference?

A domesticated mammal known for companionship and pest control.

A diverse group of ray-finned fish known for their whisker-like barbels.

Features retractable claws and keen senses for hunting.

Many species lack scales and have distinctive barbels.

Primarily carnivorous, feeding on small animals.

Ranges from omnivorous to detritivorous, depending on the species.

Requires a nurturing home environment and regular healthcare.

Less understood, may involve chemical signals and vibrations.

Utilizes vocalizations like meows and purrs.

Specific to species, generally involving water quality and diet.

The cat (Felis catus) is a domestic species of small carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species in the family Felidae and is often referred to as the domestic cat to distinguish it from the wild members of the family.

Catfish (or catfishes; order Siluriformes or Nematognathi) are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the three largest species alive, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia, the wels catfish of Eurasia, and the piraíba of South America, to detritivores (species that eat dead material on the bottom), and even to a tiny parasitic species commonly called the Candiru, Vandellia cirrhosa.

A small domesticated carnivorous mammal (Felis catus), kept as a pet and as catcher of vermin, and existing in a variety of breeds.

A freshwater or marine fish with barbels resembling whiskers round the mouth, typically bottom-dwelling.

Any of various other carnivorous mammals of the family Felidae, including the lion, tiger, leopard, and lynx.

Another term for wolf fish

(Informal) A woman who is regarded as spiteful.

Fish for catfish

A person, especially a man.

Lure (someone) into a relationship by means of a fictional online persona

A player or devotee of jazz music.

Any of numerous scaleless, chiefly freshwater fishes of the order Siluriformes, characteristically having whiskerlike barbels extending from the upper jaw. Also called regionally mud cat.

A cat-o'-nine-tails.

Any fish of the order Siluriformes, mainly found in fresh water, lacking scales, and having barbels like whiskers around the mouth.

A catfish.

The meat of such a fish, popular in the Southern U.S. and Central Europe.

A cathead.

(internet) Someone who creates a fake profile on a social media platform in order to deceive people.

A device for raising an anchor to the cathead.

(internet) Such a fake profile.

A catboat.

To fish for catfish.

A catamaran.

To create and operate a fake online profile to deceive (someone).

To hoist an anchor to (the cathead).

A name given in the United States to various species of siluroid fishes; as, the yellow cat (Amiurus natalis); the bind cat (Gronias nigrilabrus); the mud cat (Pilodictic oilwaris), the stone cat (Noturus flavus); the sea cat (Arius felis), etc. This name is also sometimes applied to the wolf fish. See Bullhrad.

An animal of the family Felidae:

Flesh of scaleless food fish of the southern United States; often farmed

A domesticated species (Felis catus) of feline animal, commonly kept as a house pet.

Large ferocious northern deep-sea food fishes with strong teeth and no pelvic fins

Any similar animal of the family Felidae, which includes lions, tigers, bobcats, leopards, cougars, cheetahs, caracals, lynxes, and other such non-domesticated species.

Any of numerous mostly freshwater bottom-living fishes of Eurasia and North America with barbels like whiskers around the mouth

A person:

(offensive) A spiteful or angry woman.

An enthusiast or player of jazz.

(slang) A person (usually male).

(slang) A prostitute.

(nautical) A strong tackle used to hoist an anchor to the cathead of a ship.

Short form of cat-o'-nine-tails.

(archaic) A sturdy merchant sailing vessel now only in "catboat".

The game of "trap and ball" (also called "cat and dog").

The trap of the game of "trap and ball".

(archaic) The pointed piece of wood that is struck in the game of tipcat.

A vagina, a vulva; the female external genitalia.

A double tripod (for holding a plate, etc.) with six feet, of which three rest on the ground, in whatever position it is placed.

(historical) A wheeled shelter, used in the Middle Ages as a siege weapon to allow assailants to approach enemy defences.

(computing) A program and command in Unix that reads one or more files and directs their content to the standard output.

(slang) A street name of the drug methcathinone.

Abbreviation of catapult

Abbreviation of catalytic converter

Abbreviation of catamaran

Abbreviation of category

Abbreviation of catfish

Abbreviation of caterpillar

(slang) Any of a variety of earth-moving machines. (from their manufacturer Caterpillar Inc.)

A ground vehicle which uses caterpillar tracks, especially tractors, trucks, minibuses, and snow groomers.

Abbreviation of computed axial tomographyOften used attributively, as in “CAT scan” or “CT scan”.

To hoist (the anchor) by its ring so that it hangs at the cathead.

To flog with a cat-o'-nine-tails.

(slang) To vomit.

To go wandering at night.

To gossip in a catty manner.

To apply the cat command to (one or more files).

To dump large amounts of data on (an unprepared target), usually with no intention of browsing it carefully.

Catastrophic; terrible, disastrous.

Any animal belonging to the natural family Felidae, and in particular to the various species of the genera Felis, Panthera, and Lynx. The domestic cat is Felis domestica. The European wild cat (Felis catus) is much larger than the domestic cat. In the United States the name wild cat is commonly applied to the bay lynx (Lynx rufus). The larger felines, such as the lion, tiger, leopard, and cougar, are often referred to as cats, and sometimes as big cats. See Wild cat, and Tiger cat.

A strong vessel with a narrow stern, projecting quarters, and deep waist. It is employed in the coal and timber trade.

A double tripod (for holding a plate, etc.), having six feet, of which three rest on the ground, in whatever position it is placed.

An old game;

Same as cat o' nine tails; as, British sailors feared the cat.

A catamaran.

To bring to the cathead; as, to cat an anchor. See Anchor.

Feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and being unable to roar; domestic cats; wildcats

An informal term for a youth or man;

A spiteful woman gossip;

The leaves of the shrub Catha edulis which are chewed like tobacco or used to make tea; has the effect of a euphoric stimulant;

A whip with nine knotted cords;

A large vehicle that is driven by caterpillar tracks; frequently used for moving earth in construction and farm work

Any of several large cats typically able to roar and living in the wild

A method of examining body organs by scanning them with X rays and using a computer to construct a series of cross-sectional scans along a single axis

Beat with a cat-o'-nine-tails

Eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth;

Catfish use their sensitive barbels to detect food and navigate in low-visibility environments.

Popular cat breeds include Siamese, Persian, and Maine Coon, each with unique traits.

Catfish are named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers.

While they can coexist, cats may view smaller catfish as prey due to their predatory instincts.

Some catfish species, like the Mekong giant catfish, can grow over 9 feet long and weigh hundreds of pounds.

Threats include habitat destruction, pollution, and overfishing in some regions.

In the wild, cats can fall prey to larger predators like coyotes, eagles, or larger felines.

House cats can live 15 years or more, while catfish lifespans vary widely by species, with some living similarly long lives under the right conditions.

Cats communicate with humans through vocalizations, body language, and sometimes through purring or kneading.

Catfish breeding varies by species, with some laying eggs in nests and others exhibiting more complex reproductive behaviors.

Many catfish are edible and are a significant food source worldwide, though some species may not be suitable for consumption.

While most catfish are freshwater species, some, like the hardhead catfish, are found in marine environments.

Indoor cats need a stimulating environment, regular veterinary care, and a balanced diet.

Many catfish species are nocturnal, being most active during the night.

Cats can impact local wildlife and ecosystems, especially as predators of birds and small mammals.