Academy of Natural Sciences Catfish Collection

A Note From The Collection Manager

The All Catfish Species Inventory (ACSI) was an ambitious effort to understand the global diversity of an important branch on the tree of life: catfishes. The project was funded in 2003 by the US National Science Foundation (DEB 0315963), which simultaneously supported similar projects to inventory major groups of insects (plant bugs), plants (Solanaceae), and microscopic organisms (slime molds).

Over the course of the project, ACSI assembled and supported an international research network of over 400 scientists and students in over 50 countries to conduct fieldwork (exploration and collecting), museum work (cataloging and photographing), and research on new species and their relationships.

As of October 2025, Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes recognizes 7,630 species of catfishes distributed on all continents except Antarctica. To help distinguish those species, the Catfish Type Gallery includes images of type specimens preserved in natural history museums around the world. In taxonomy, type specimens are the physical representations of scientific names – the “originals” used by taxonomists to propose and describe new species.

The ACSI Catfish Type Gallery is presented here to facilitate research on the diversity of catfishes. Please be considerate of the copyright statement associated with each image.

Thanks and enjoy!
Mark Sabaj
All Catfish Species Inventory Co-PI & Collection Manager of Fishes, Academy of Natural Sciences

What was the ACSI?

The All Catfish Species Inventory (ACSI) was an ambitious effort to understand the global diversity of an important branch on the tree of life: catfishes. The project was funded in 2003 by US National Science Foundation (DEB 0315963) which simultaneously supported similar projects to inventory major groups of insects (plant bugs), plants (Solanaceae) and microscopic organisms (slime molds).

What Did ACSI Do?

ACSI supported an international network of over 400 scientists and students in over 50 counties to conduct fieldwork (exploration and collecting), museum work (cataloging and photographing), and research on new species and their relationships.ACSI supported an international network of over 400 scientists and students in over 50 counties to conduct fieldwork (exploration and collecting), museum work (cataloging and photographing), and research on new species and their relationships.

How many catfishes are there?

As of October 2025, Eschmeyer's Catalog of Fishes recognizes 7,630 species of catfishes distributed on all continents except Antarctica.

What are type specimens?

In taxonomy, type specimens are the physical representations of scientific names - the "originals" used by taxonomists to compare, propose, and describe new species.

What is the Catfish Type Gallery?

The Catfish Type Gallery is composed of images of catfish type specimens preserved in natural history museums around the world.

Who is Mark Sabaj?

Mark Sabaj was one of the six lead investigators of the All Catfish Species Inventory and is the Collection Manager of Fishes at the Academy of Natural Sciences. As a taxonomist, Mark has described as new 46 species (including 31 catfishes), 2 genera and 6 subfamilies in 4 Phyla with a total of 68 co-authors.