Robert R. Weller

Ultrasonic telemetry was used to determine seasonal temperature selection by adult flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) in a 93-ha reservoir in west Texas, Buffalo Springs Lake. We implanted temperature-sensing ultrasonic transmitters in 29 flathead catfish and monitored them from June 1993 through June 1995. During the summer months, flathead catfish were found in the warmest lake waters (24.5-31.5 C) even though cooler well-oxygenated water was available. As lake temperatures decreased in fall and winter, flathead catfish were located in the warmest available water. Coldwater habitats...

The food habits of flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) in the Altamaha River system, Georgia were determined by examining the contents of 866 flathead catfish stomachs from the Altamaha and Ocmulgee rivers during the summer of 1997. Stomach contents were analyzed by frequency of occurrence, percent composition by weight, and percent composition by number. Dominant prey items consumed were centrarchids, ictalurids, and invertebrates. Invertebrates were the most prevalent diet item by number and weight consumed by flathead catfish <30l mm. Centrarchids were the dominant prey item...