Blue Catfish Details

• Water Type: freshwater
• Latin Name: Ictalurus furcatus
• Common Names: Channel Cat, Humpback Blue
• World Record: 121 pounds 8 ounces
• Last Modified By: carpmaster on 04/07/09 01:55 AM
• Ask about Blue Catfish in our forum

Blue Catfish have a forked tail and are sometimes very similar to Channel Catfish and White Catfish. However, only the Rio Grande population has dark spots on the back and sides. The number of rays in the anal fin is typically 30-35, and coloration is usually slate blue on the back, shading to white on the belly.

The Blue Catfish pursues a varied diet, but it tends to eat fish earlier in life. Although invertebrates compose most of it's diet, Blue Catfish as small as 4 inches in length have been known to consume fish.

Blue Catfish are native to major rivers of the Ohio, Missouri and Mississippi river basins. Their range also extends south through Texas and into Mexico.

Blue Catfish are primarily large river fish, occuring in main channels, tributaries, and impoundments of major river systems. They tend to move upstream in the summer in search of cooler temperatures, and downstream during winter to find warmer water.

Blue Catfish are the biggest of the Catfish in North America and commonly attain sizes of 20-40 pounds, and may reach weights well in excess of 100 pounds.