We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Environment

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Blue Catfish?

By Laura Evans
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,336
Share

Ictalurus furcatus, the scientific name for blue catfish, means "fish cat" from the Greek word "Ictalurus" and "forked" from the Latin word "furcatus." Blue catfish have deeply forked tails. These fish inhabit to large rivers in Ohio, Missouri, Mississippi, Texas, Mexico, and Guatemala. This catfish typically weighs between 20 to 40 pounds (about 9 to 28 kg), although some can weigh 100 pounds (about 100 kg) or more. Although never officially confirmed, legends have an unidentified person catching a catfish weighing 300 to 350 pounds (about 136 to 159 kg), perhaps from the Mississippi River in the late 1800s.

In addition to having a forked tail, blue catfish is typically a blue-silver color on top. This color fades to a white belly. Most Ictalurus furcatus are unspotted with the exception of blue catfish living in the Rio Grande, which has dark spots on top and on the sides. Ictalurus furcatus prefer to live in waters that are about 77 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (about 25 to 28 degrees Celsius) and may move to cooler waters upstream during the summer months and downstream for warmer waters during the winter. These fish are fast growing and can live from 20 to 25 years.

Blue catfish spawn in the late spring from June to early July. Eggs are laid in a nest in water with temperatures between 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (about 21 to 24 degrees Celsius). After about one week, the eggs hatch. While both parents may guard the fry, the male is typically more involved than the female. Around a week after the fry hatch, the baby fish swim away.

Ictalurus furcatus typically eat at night using their barbels, or "whiskers,” to smell for their prey near or on the bottom of the river. Although young blue catfish dine on insects and small fish, adult blues will eat insects, other fish, frogs, clams, mussels, and crayfish. Blue catfish will eat dead food as well as live food.

Blue catfish are caught for two reasons, because this catfish has a nice taste for those who enjoy eating freshwater fish and because Ictalurus furcatus are fighters when hooked. Because Ictalurus furcatus have a strong sense of smell, anglers use bait that will appeal to this sense of smell, such as "stink" bait, frogs, crayfish, and turkey livers. This catfish is strong enough after hooked that some prefer to use saltwater tackle rather than just heavy tackle to catch a fish.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-blue-catfish.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.