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By Ryan Somma (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ideonexus/3634418206/) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Catfish
Alternative Names: Bullhead, Channel catfish
Monterey Bay Recommendation: Catfish that's farmed in the U.S., farmed in closed tanks or caught in the Chesapeake Bay is a "Best Choice." Say "No, thanks" to imported catfish except when it’s from an eco-certified source.
Uses in Cooking: Catfish is commonly battered or breaded in cornmeal and fried. The soft flesh and scaleless skin does not hold up well to most other cooking methods.
Similar Fish: Swai, cod, sablefish
Description: Soft flesh with extremely mild flavor. This is a perfect fish for beginners.
Fun Facts: Catfish have taste buds distributed over the entire surface of their bodies and a sense of smell that is more developed than that of a canine. This helps them find food in murky water.