Forktailed Catfish

	Scientific Name	Ictalurus furcatus
	Other Names	Channel cat, Hump-back blue, Forktail cat, Great blue cat, Silver cat, Chucklehead cat, Blue fulton
	World Record	111 lbs. Tennessee River , Alabama

Description

They resemble channel catfish by having deeply forked tails, but are dissimilar because they are unspotted and have a long, straight-edged anal fin with 30 to 35 rays. Adult fish have stout bodies with prominently humped backs in front of the dorsal fin. The back and upper sides are blue to slate gray, and the lower sides and belly are white. The internal air bladder has a constriction in the middle, giving it a two-chambered appearance, hence while these fish grunt when out of water.

Habitat

Blues occur in big rivers and in the lower reaches of major tributaries. They prefer clearer, swifter water than other catfish, and are usually found over sand, gravel or rock bottoms. They can also be found in bilabongs left over each year from the wet season.

Feeding Habit

Young blues eat aquatic insects and small fish while larger blues prefer crayfish, mussels and other fish. 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. Blues may grow to lengths of over 55 inches and may weigh more than 100 pounds. Maximum life span for blues is unknown but is probably 20-25 years

Tackle and Methods

One of the strongest freshwater fish, blues are caught on bush hooks or trot lines as well as rod and reel. The most effective baits are cut fish, live fish and night crawlers. 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 leads.

Related Species

Listed below are similar related species that customers have searched.

	White Catfish		Flathead Catfish
	Wells Catfish		Channel Catfish
	Mekong Catfish		Chao Phraya Catfish
	Gray Eel Catfish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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