Catfish are bottom eaters. That means they keep the bottom of the ocean clean. That is what applies to wild catfish. Farm raised ones have a cleaner taste. They are raised in large cement tanks. No dirt on the bottom.
I have never heard or have I ever seen anyone eat salt water catfish.
Edible catfish are fresh water fish. I'm certian there are peolpe who may eat salt water catfish. But for the sake of this thread, we are talking about fresh water fish.
Also, it seems to me in particular, it is the Asian, farmed raised, catfish that have the off taste.
Much of the catfish and even the talapia are raised overseas in muddy ponds. At least that is how I have seen them raised on TV.
I occasionally buy catfish fillets and rarely/never have any taste issues with them. I never buy the Asian raised and that seems to be where the problem lies.
I don't buy catfish much anymore as we are catching them in the lake.
Crystal clear cold water lake.
Like so many others, I've eaten my last catfish for the chance of getting another muddy one.
I will not buy farmed raised (tiger) shrimp for this very reason. Except they all have a funny taste to me.
This is one product at Costco they could eliminate for good.
The seafood guy told me if I didn't like them, he would give me my money back. I did not like them, but did not ask for my money back.
I just learned a lesson.
We buy seafood from Costco, but will never buy those tiger shrimp again.