Aggressive Wels attacks bathers: police hunted 90-kilo giants!

Aggressive Wels attacks bathers: police hunted 90-kilo giants!

In the Brombachsee in Bavaria, an incident occurred on June 20, 2025, which brought bathers in danger. An aggressive catfish that was in the area of ​​a swimmins attacked several swimmers and caused injuries. Rescue workers of the Bavarian Red Cross treated on site at least five people who had suffered bite and meat wounds. At around 5:00 p.m., the water guard informed the police about the continued attacks of the fish, which immediately cordoned off the bathing area to prevent further injuries. The situation was classified as a security risk for visitors to the music festival nearby.

In order to eliminate the aggressive catfish, the emergency services decided to kill him. A police officer shot with his service pistol on the approximately 90 kilograms of catfish, which was more than two meters long (approx. 205 cm). After the shot, two anglers burst the fish with a boat from the lake. The bathing area and the swimminsel were only released after the fish had been recovered. This procedure was necessary to ensure the safety of the bathers, who generally see no danger of catfish.

catfish and their behavior

catfish are known for their size and weight. In Germany you can reach up to three meters in length and weight over 100 kilograms. Especially in the months of May and June, during their spawning season, they often show aggressive behavior to protect their brood. According to reports, it happens that swimmers are attacked, but as a rule, catfish are not interested in humans. The fear of catfish in swimming lakes is fueled by alleged attacks. Most of these fear stories relate to reports on catfish that could capture small dogs or children, which is considered exaggerated.

The small stub teeth of the catfish are not suitable for serious people. Rather, they are popular as food fish because they are free of bones. Their main food is different fish and invertebrates, but they can also catch water birds and small mammals. Nevertheless, Welse has caused a stir recently, as the incident in the Brombachsee shows. These attacks ensure an increased security awareness among bathers, although most swimmers can remain uncertainty. Report by [ludwigshafen24.de] (https://www.ludwigshafen24.de/tiere-natur/hegwasser-aggressive-fisch-fisch-wels-Angst-mensch-se- 92030009.html) According to human remains, which are sometimes found in Welsen, which are usually refused, which contradicts the assumption that people on the dining card stand.

As reports the Kleine Zeitung, there are historical cases of catfish that were famous due to their size and supposed aggressiveness, such as the case "Kuno, Killerwels ”, which became known in Mönchengladbach over 20 years ago. With this background, the question remains how such incidents can be avoided in the future to ensure the safety of the bathers.