Creatures Around The Lake: Catfish

 When the water begins to warm up in Haller Lake, the catfish begin to spawn. The male prepares the nest, the female lays 8000 to 15000 eggs, then the male defends the nest until the fry leave.

Catfish have soft skin, without scales.  They have four barbels (whiskers) around the mouth. Taste buds are distributed over its entire body, but especially on the barbels. These barbels do not sting, as often thought, but the catfish does have spines on its fins that can puncture skin if the fish is mishandled. 
Catfish eat just about anything that will fit in its mouth; fish, snakes, insects, plants, algae, seeds, nuts, and even birds and small mammals!
There is a large, underwater rock near the shoreline in Haller Lake that has a cave-like hollow in it.  Each year, this cave is a catfish nest site. A few of us have wandered too close to this rock when the male was guarding it, and experienced his soft, fleshy head hitting our leg.  No harm done, but certainly an unexpected surprise!  This same male will also take food, like a slug or raw hamburger, from your hand if you wait patiently in the water.  Their sense of smell is so intense that they are nicknamed, "the swimming tongue"!
- Susan Derge

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Junction Point Homeless Shelter Off 128th Street

Image
 I was able to tour the Catholic Community Services Homeless Shelter, Junction Point, last week.  This shelter is located at 1132 N 128th St. near Stone Way and 128th St.  There shelter is a series of small, individual building for the residents that look something like "tiny homes".   I met up with Sharonda Duncan, Division Director within CSS Homeless Services.  She manages 4 of CCS's shelters around Seattle.  This shelter became active last June.  It has capacity for 49 individuals, men or women who are 50 years old or older.  The shelter is currently at full capacity. The shelter does utilize volunteers from the community.  They can use help with their plants/gardening and putting together hygiene packs and move out packs for the residents.  If you are interested, you can visit the shelter and ring the door bell. This is a shelter that moved from the old Junction Point location along Elliot Avenue.  The Elliot avenue shelter is now called "Bridge". I got to
Read more

Haller Lake Land Use Update

 Haller Lake Land Use Update By Sean McEwan Lincoln Towing redevelopment : BODE Apartments is still working on their master use permit for just the parcel located off Aurora to construct a 7-story, 540-unit apartment building with 10 Live-Work Units, retail, and parking for 354 vehicles. The remainder of the Lincoln Towing property is noted as 'future development' but it appears BODE has proposed five additional apartment buildings on the site. Puetz Golf Center redevelopment : Pulte Homes is continuing to work on obtaining construction permits. They are proposing two 4-story apartment buildings (102 units total) and 134 townhouse units. **Of particular interest on this one are improvements to the trail along the east side of the site in conjunction with a stormwater bioretention feature that Seattle Public Utilities is working on. LA Fitness redevelopment : The developer submitted to the City was a 7-story, 413-unit apartment building with parking for 206 vehicles
Read more

May 2 General Meeting - Seattle Nice Podcast

 Last Thursday, the Seattle Nice podcast crew came and recorded a podcast at HLCC.  The 3 podcasters, David Hyde, Erica C. Barnett and Sandeep Kaushik discussed issues pertaining to the Aurora/99 corridor in North Seattle near our neighborhood with a focus on what the Seattle city government can do about some of the issues.  If you weren't there, check out this zoom recording .  You can also listen to the podcast on your favorite podcasting platform:  " Seattle Nice Live! Street prostitution, crime and drugs on Aurora Ave "
Read more

HLCC General Meeting - Seattle Needs Trees

HLCC hosted a full audience for a presentation from Seattle Needs Trees at last night's HLCC general meeting. Seattle Needs Trees presented on the issues caused by tree canopy loss in Seattle and how the new Seattle Tree Ordinance will cause further loss of tree canopy.  Did you know that Seattle is in the Top 5 for cities with growing "heat islands"?   Did you know that the new Seattle Tree Ordinance will allow developers to pave 85% of new lots with hardscape (asphalt)? Randy Harkness MC'd the event and reminded the community of a few things: The HLCC Board Nominating Committee is getting under way Food bank donations are always welcome HLCC Dance Nights are going well.  Check our events for the next times. Presenters included Meegan McKiernan, ​​Julia Shettler, Sandy Shettler and June BlueSpruce. There is a recording of the presentation here:  Seattle Needs Trees Zoom Recording The recording allows you to the speaker.  But, here is a separate link to the slides use
Read more