Welcome To Catfish Unlimited.Com
Learn more about the catfish, catfish farming, catfish cooking and just about everything related to catfish from the resources on Catfish Unlimited.com. Some common names for catfish - spotted catfish, river catfish, channel catfish.
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Blue Catfish - Other names: Channel cat, hump-back blue, forktail cat, great blue cat, silver cat, chucklehead cat, blue fulton.
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Blue Catfish have a forked tail, and are sometimes very similar to channel 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. Adult fish have stout bodies with prominently humped backs in front of the dorsal fin. They resemble channel catfish by having deeply forked tail. The internal air bladder has a constriction in the middle, giving it a two-chambered appearance.
Habitat - Blues occur in big rivers and in the lower reaches of major tributaries, and impoundments of major river systems.. They prefer clearer, swifter water than other catfish, and are usually found over sand, gravel or rock bottoms. Their preferred water temperature is 77 to 82 degrees.
Spawning Habits -Their spawning behavior appears to be similar to that of channel catfish. However, most blue catfish are not sexually mature until they reach about 24 inches in length. In late spring, males commonly choose and clear a nest site, usually in drift piles, logs, root systems or other dark, secluded areas near the bank. The eggs hatch in about a week, and males guard the fry in the nest until they swim away a week or so later.
Feeding Habits - Like channel catfish, the blue catfish pursues a varied diet, but it tends to eat fish earlier in life. Although invertebrates still comprise the major portion of the diet, blue catfish as small as four inches in length have been known to consume fish. Individuals larger than eight inches eat fish and large invertebrates. They feed primarily at night.
Age and Growth - Blue catfish grow faster and live longer than channel catfish. They are the largest member of the catfish family. Where mature populations exist, 50-pounders are not unusual. Typically, the largest fish are caught by trotliners, some of whom have landed specimens in excess of 115 pounds. Blues may grow to lengths of over 55 inches in length. Maximum life span for blues is unknown but is probably 20-25 years. It is reported that fish exceeding 350 pounds were landed from the Mississippi River during the late 1800's.
Range - Blue catfish are native to major rivers of the Ohio, Missouri, and Mississippi river basins. The range also extends south through Texas, Mexico, and into northern Guatemala. They prefer clearer, swifter water than other catfish, and are usually found over sand, gravel or rock bottoms. Their preferred water temperature is 77 to 82 degrees.
Sporting Qualities - One of the strongest freshwater fish; blues are caught on bush hooks or trotlines as well as rod and reel. The most effective baits are cut fish, live fish and nightcrawlers. They also will take prepared and rotting baits. Most are caught while bottom fishing with cut fish, rigged on large hooks weighted down by heavy lead sinkers.
Eating Quality - Considered an excellent food fish with white, firm, delicately flavored flesh.
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