The largest catfish native to North America — verified individuals over 100 lbs. Native to large rivers; introduced (controversially) to East Coast estuaries where they've become invasive.

Also called: Blue Catfish, Hump-back Blue

Native status: Native to Mississippi system; invasive in Atlantic

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 65–165 cm; record 175 cm
Weight4–35 kg; record 65 kg
LifespanWild 20–25 years
OrderSiluriformes
FamilyIctaluridae

§ Encyclopedia

The blue catfish is a large species of North American catfish, reaching a length of 65 in (170 cm) and a weight of 143 lb (65 kg). The continent's largest catfish, it can live to 20 years, with a typical fish being between 25–46 in (64–117 cm) and 30–70 lb (14–32 kg). Native distribution is primarily in the Mississippi River and Louisiana drainage systems, including the Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Arkansas Rivers, the Des Moines River in south-central Iowa, the Rio Grande, and south along the Gulf Coast to Belize and Guatemala.

Source: Wikipedia — Blue catfish Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Massive blue-gray catfish; deeply forked tail; pale belly; sharp anal fin.

Similar species. Channel Catfish (smaller, more spotted). Flathead Catfish (broad flat head).

Voice. Silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Fish (primary), crustaceans, mollusks, occasional waterfowl.

Behavior. Largest catfish native to North America. Massive populations established outside native Mississippi range from intentional stocking; now invasive in Chesapeake Bay, Potomac, and several Atlantic systems. In invasive range, devastates native fish populations including endemic Chesapeake species. Targeted by commercial harvest as both food fish and invasive control.

§ Range

Native to Mississippi and Gulf coast rivers; widely stocked

§ Habitat

Large rivers and reservoirs

§ Threats

In native range: pollution, dams. In introduced range: they ARE the threat.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the blue catfish is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

In Chesapeake: harvest blue catfish (don't release). In native range: support clean rivers.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • American Fisheries Society
  • Virginia Institute of Marine Science
  • NOAA Chesapeake Bay
  • IUCN Red List 2013