Hi Phil, Having done a lot of coarse fishing,pleasure and competition in various parts of the country, including Ireland - North and South over the years I reckon to know what a gudgeon is, and what one looks like. The "cat" fish we caught were always small,dark and multi whiskered - rather like a achannel catfish. It may well have not been a "cat" fish - but - with whiskers and having a "cat" fish look about it, to us they were catfish, its a species I've not come across since, maybe it was a breed peculiar to the lake in Perry Barr Park. Maybe there is an expert out there that might throw some light on the "cat" fish! Thanks for your response Phil.