What underlies the evolutionary success of the Wels Catfish?

Longevity and sensory refinement

The evolutionary success of the Wels Catfish is not predicated on the typical traits associated with active predation, such as rapid movement or group coordination. Instead, its remarkable ability to persist across deep time and environmental shifts hinges on two specific attributes highlighted in studies of its life history. Firstly, the species exhibits remarkable longevity, with potential lifespans comparable to that of a human being, allowing for decades of reproductive opportunity. Secondly, it possesses highly refined sensory tools, particularly specialized barbels, which enable effective hunting in dark or turbid waters where vision is limited. This combination allows it to thrive as a highly adapted predatory form in its habitat.