Monster catfish hauled in by fishermen in northern Italy

Thursday, February 26, 2015, 10:33 AM - If you're going to encounter a fish this big, you best make sure you're NOT in the water.

Twin brothers Dino and Dario Ferrari reeled in a lot more than they bargained for when they pulled a massive catfish from the Po River in northern Italy on February 19.

The giant fish, known as a wels catfish, took more than 40 minutes to reel in. 

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Weighing in at a whopping 127 kilograms and measuring almost 3 metres long, it has the potential to be the largest of its kind ever captured.

Based on the incredible size of the creature, it was estimated to be roughly 30 years old. The species can live for up to 50 years in its natural tributary habitat.

With a mouth that looks like it could swallow just about anything, the wels catfish has a ferocious appetite, with a diet made up mainly of other fish, frogs and even waterfowl.

After making the catch of a lifetime, what did the Ferrari's decide to do with the river monster?

They released it back into the water, where it now has the chance to grow even bigger. 

Source: The Telegraph

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