Contagious Cancer in Catfish | Calgary News

Calgary News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 7, 2026 · 1m

A bizarre, contagious cancer is spreading among brown bullhead catfish — and scientists are racing to understand how it’s moving across lakes. This rare transmissible cancer, only the fourth known in animals, spreads like a disease between fish, with tumors made of identical clone cells. First spotted near the Quebec-Vermont border, researchers now suspect it’s reached New Brunswick after a local fisherman reported strange sightings. DNA tests are underway to confirm if this is the same cancer — and why melanoma is specifically appearing in these fish. While not a human health threat…