Catfish have been known as bottom feeders. They're actually negatively buoyant and sink when they're in water, but when they're near a hockey rink, they tend to fly.
During the Stanley Cup Playoffs at both home and away games, Predators fans have shown the world that catfish have become a part of Nashville hockey. Even Keith Urban and some Titans players got in on the action, but it's not always easy to sneak them into the game.
Some people have strapped it to their backs and hide it under jerseys, while other fish throwers, like the one who was originally charged after throwing a catfish on the ice in Pittsburgh, find other ways to sneak catfish in.
"I had regular underwear on, put compression shorts on, slid that between the two and walked right in," Jake Waddell, said.
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Through all of this, many have asked why someone would go through the trouble and risk being thrown out of the game, but it's all about tradition.
Back in 1952, Detroit Red Wings fans decided to throw an octopus with eight arms on the ice, signifying the eight wins necessary at the time to earn the Stanley cup.
51 years later in 2003, a relatively young Nashville fan-base decided to make their own tradition: throwing a catfish on the ice in a game against the Red Wings.
From that, a new, southern hockey tradition was born, and today fans and players alike get fired up when the catfish fly.
"It's probably better than an octopus," Mike Fisher, Predators team captain, said.
"I don't think you'd catch me sneaking one into the building," Harry Zolnierczyk, a Predators forward, said. "But we love it. It's making this place one fun place to play."
