TUESDAY January 19, 2021: 'TIBER MONSTERS' from ZUMA Press award winning photographer Luigi Avantaggiato: The 'wels' catfish (Silurus glanis), a large species found in the freshwater rivers and lakes of Europe, from the United Kingdom, all the way east in Kazakhstan. After the beluga sturgeon, it's the largest known species of freshwater fish, thought to grow up to 4 meters long and up to 800 pounds. The catfish was introduced illegally in Italy in the 1950s and this invasive species is destroying the biodiversity of Italian river waters. To catch them you need a lot of physical strength and also a lot of patience. The largest specimens can live up to 80 years and are called ''Tiber Monsters'' by Italy's giant catfish hunters. Welcome to: 'TIBER MONSTERS'
© zReportage.com Story of the Week #770: TUESDAY January 19, 2021: 'TIBER MONSTERS' from ZUMA Press award winning photographer Luigi Avantaggiato: The 'wels' catfish (Silurus glanis, a large species found in the freshwater rivers and lakes of Europe, from the United Kingdom, all the way east in Kazakhstan. After the beluga sturgeon, it's the largest known species of freshwater fish, thought to grow up to 4 meters long and up to 800 pounds. The catfish was introduced illegally in Italy in the 1950s and this invasive species is destroying the biodiversity of Italian river waters. To catch them you need a lot of physical strength and also a lot of patience. The largest specimens can live up to 80 years and are called ''Tiber Monsters'' by Italy's giant catfish hunters. Welcome to: 'TIBER MONSTERS'

Under cloudy skies and with fishing rods and gear at the ready, WALTER, 41, sits in his spot, waiting for a catfish to bite.
© Luigi Avantaggiato/ZUMA Wire

Fisherman EMANUELE, 32, begins his evening fishing session in his boat on the Tiber river.
© Luigi Avantaggiato/ZUMA Wire

Fisherman LAZIO reintroduces a specimen caught the previous night back into the water in the Saxa Rubra district of Rome. Italian law prevents this and there are large fines for those who catch a catfish and do not kill it. The law, however, does not provide for the methods of killing and above all how and where to dispose of the carcass. To avoid leaving the carcasses to rot, sport fishermen prefer to put their prey back in the water after capture.
© Luigi Avantaggiato/ZUMA Wire

Fisherman VALERIO, 38, after he captured of a giant catfish of 2.3m in length on the Tiber river.
© Luigi Avantaggiato/ZUMA Wire

Fisherman VALERIO catches small fish to use as a bait to hopefully lure a bigger prize, a giant catfish.
© Luigi Avantaggiato/ZUMA Wire

After a tiring struggle, fisherman VALERIO drags a huge two meter long, 130 pound catfish onto his small dinghy.
© Luigi Avantaggiato/ZUMA Wire

To avoid damage to the fish, fishermen tie a bungee cord across the mouth and gill after catching to carry the exhausted fish to shore.
© Luigi Avantaggiato/ZUMA Wire

The old bridge of Castel Giubileo is one of the most popular fishing spots in the Italian capital. The remains of the bridge that collapsed in 1951 have created deep holes and pits where fish like to burrow.
© Luigi Avantaggiato/ZUMA Wire

SALVATORE, 22, captures of a small specimen of 1.20m in length on the Tiber river in the Castel Giubileo district on the outskirts of Rome.
© Luigi Avantaggiato/ZUMA Wire

48 percent of the regions river waters have a poor ecological status index. The Tiber is the river with the highest number of environmental crimes committed along its waterways that destroy its eco-sustainability: illegal fishing, failure to purify civil and industrial waste, pouring pollutants and toxic substances directly into water courses. Catfish live in particularly polluted waters for a long time, which is why they are not recommended for eating.
© Luigi Avantaggiato/ZUMA Wire

As the continents largest freshwater fish, the giant 'Wels' Catfish ranks at the top of the food chain. Its invincibility is due to the presence on the sides of the mouth of barbels, skin appendages with a sensory function. Thanks to the barbels, the Silurus glanis can identify its prey both in the dark and in the presence of high turbidity.
© Luigi Avantaggiato/ZUMA Wire

A specimen of catfish lying on the bank of the Tiber while a fisherman stretches a tape measure on its back to measure its size.
© Luigi Avantaggiato/ZUMA Wire

The carcass of a catfish fish and a barbel illegally released back into the water dead after a fishing session, at Ponte Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome.
© Luigi Avantaggiato/ZUMA Wire

A large catfish in the Tiber at the Marconi Bridge, in Rome. The skin of the giant catfish secretes a gelatinous substance which, in addition to protecting it from disease, allows it to move easily among the rocks of the seabed without risking injury.
© Luigi Avantaggiato/ZUMA Wire

ANTONIO, 31, holds a 1.8m long catfish, the fish has skin that is capable of color changes to help mimic its surroundings on the seabed.
© Luigi Avantaggiato/ZUMA Wire