Siluridæ, or CAT-FISHES, a large family of fresh-water fishes, included in the order Physostomi. The skin is naked, or equipped with some bony scutes, never with scales; the dorsal fin is short and is occasionally absent—when present it is inserted above or in front of the ventrals; there is generally an adipose fin; the maxilla is very small; the barbels are well developed. The family is represented in most parts of the world. In Europe, however, there is only one Siluroid, the Sheat-fish or Shadden (Silurus glanis), which occurs in some eastern and central regions—e.g. in the Danube and the Elbe. In size it sometimes approaches the sturgeon, and is a sluggish but very voracious animal, and has been the subject of many strange stories. In North America most of the common cat-fishes belong to the genus Amiurus; in tropical America the genus Pimelodus has many representatives (see CAT-FISH). In many species of Arins—a marine genus—common in the East Indies and on both coasts of Central America, the males hatch the eggs in their mouths. Species of Doras, common in South America, are remarkable for their habit of travelling from one pond to another. In northern Africa the most remarkable Siluroid is the Electric Cat-fish, Malapterurus electricus.