# Spain’s Wels catfish invasion grows from 1974 river release 2026-08-07T07:18:40+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Wels catfish released into Spain’s Ebro River in 1974 have spread across much of the basin and into other rivers and reservoirs, forming populations wildlife managers consider virtually impossible to eliminate, The Times of India reports. The fish can grow beyond 2.5 metres and weigh over 200 kg. It eats fish, crayfish, frogs, water birds and small mammals. The predator now threatens migratory species including Allis shad and Atlantic salmon, already hit by pollution and habitat loss. University of Córdoba zoology professor Carlos Fernández Delgado calls it an “ecological time bomb”. Warming waters may help it move upstream and colonise rivers in Belgium and the Netherlands. Spanish law bans its release and transport, but catch-and-release fishing has limited support for removal. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: climate change, Ebro River, invasive species, Spain, Wels catfish Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/spains-wels-catfish-invasion-grows-from-1974-river-release/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/spains-wels-catfish-invasion-grows-from-1974-river-release/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.