THE Loch Ness Monster may actually be a giant catfish, an expert reckons.

The elusive beastie could be from the giant wels species, imported by aristocrats in the 19th century for sport fishing, Nessie hunter Steve Feltham says.

They are the largest freshwater fish in Europe, growing up to 10ft long and weighing more than 31st.

And they can reportedly live for up to 100 years — with claims they could swallow a small child.

The first photograph of Nessie was taken 90 years ago, though there have been alleged sightings of the beast since the 7th century.

Steve, 60, has spent 32 years looking for the monster at the Scottish loch.

He said of the wels: “They fit the description.

“If introduced in Victorian times, they would have been coming to maturity in the 1930s.

“The population would now be dwindling, which explains fewer sightings.”

Steve became mesmerised by the legend of Nessie as a child while holidaying in the Scottish Highlands.

He told Saga magazine: “A large part of what I do here is disproving pictures.

“But then there’s that five per cent.

“When that happens — and I can’t explain an image — we push it into the public domain.”