Flathead Catfish have also eliminated native catfish populations in several North Carolina rivers. “Because adult flatheads have few natural predators, flathead catfish can exert strong control over the ecosystem.”Hodgson is the co-author of a study recently published in the journal Ecology, which found that the flathead catfish are now considered apex predators. Since the channel catfish now have a lower position in areas where the flathead catfish are present, they have to eat lower on the food web. This widely used scientific tool can help explain patterns in a food web, highlighting links between where animals are positioned in the food web. According to Pennsylvania Sea Grant, preventing the introduction and spread of the flathead catfish is currently the best way to protect natural habitats from harm.