The scene surprised passersby: a catfish in a trash can in LogroƱo, with his body boxed and part of his head visible, attracted attention and comments in a matter of minutes.
It happened on Saturday afternoon, and the image, recorded by a neighbor, spread rapidly throughout the area as it was so unusual to see this large freshwater fish deposited as if it were simple waste.
An unusual find on RĆo Lomo Street
The fish appeared in the RĆo Lomo Street, between the water treatment plant and the Berceo Shopping Center, an urban area where it is not common to see river fauna despite the fact that the Ebro river It runs just 200 meters away.
The specimen, already dead, had a remarkable size for its age, with an estimate of about 15 kilos and about a meter in length, which would place it at around five years.
In this catfish (Silurus glanis), invasive alien species capable of reaching lengths exceeding 2,5 metres, whose impact on the Ebro ecosystems has been a cause for concern for years.
The Riojan Fishing Federation calls for responsibility
Juan JosƩ Herce, president of the Riojan Fishing Federation, regretted the abandonment of the animal in the middle of the public road and described it as "an irresponsibility"He explained that citizens shouldn't necessarily be dealing with these remains, and that bins meant for other waste are becoming overcrowded.
Herce recalled that, by regulation, when a catfish is caught it is mandatory to sacrifice it and deposit it in a specific container for treatment. However, he noted that such containers do not exist in the Ebro basin, which complicates their management.
Given this lack of infrastructure, the representative proposes as a reasonable alternative to take the animal to a organic matter container, avoiding in any case leaving it lying on the street. He also admitted that there are those who choose to consume it, reaching cook it battered, although the priority is its correct removal.
An invasive and voracious exotic species
The catfish is an opportunistic predator that feeds on barbels and crabs, among other species, and there are reports of attacks on shores to birds such as pigeons and even dogs, which shows their remarkable voracity.
Incorporated into the Spanish Catalog of Invasive Alien SpeciesThis fish poses a threat to the native fauna, altering the balance of the ecosystem and displacing species native to the Ebro.
Fishermen know that the most propitious moment to find them usually coincides with the early autumn and Night hours, periods in which the catfish increases its activity and its movements in search of food.
How did it end up in a trash can?
The hypothesis that is gaining strength is that a fisherman caught it nearby and, without knowing how to manage it In the absence of specific containers, he would choose to leave it in the first bin he found.
The environment facilitates this possibility: there is a free parking next to the area and the Ebro is located a short distance away, so someone could have abandoned the fish when leaving the Saturday session fishing.
The fever for the giants of the Ebro
In the sports field, there are many fans who seek the largest specimen as a trophy. The attraction of large catches has grown in line with news of large catfish in the basin.
Without going any further, in July 2024, the AlfareƱo Sergio PƩrez caught a fish of 2,37 meters in the Ebro, very close to the national record, set in Valladolid with a specimen of 2,5 metersIn contrast, the fish found in the bin would be around average size for the species.
Basic management guidelines when catching a catfish
- Kill the specimen immediately, as required by regulations for invasive species.
- Deposit it in a specific container for these residues; if none exists in the area, use one made from organic matter.
- Do not abandon the fish on public roads, neither in trash cans nor in unauthorized urban spaces.
The discovery of the catfish in a trash can in LogroƱo serves as a reminder of the need to act responsibly: It is an invasive species whose management requires compliance with regulations and ensuring coexistence in the urban environment, avoiding scenes that inconvenience the neighborhood and harm the cleanliness of the city.
