Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body elongate; head compressed dorsoventrally, body compressed laterally; color blue above, silvery or white on lower sides and below; Rio Grande populations have dark spots on back and sides; tail is forked, long anal fin with a nearly straight outer margin; adipose fin present; 4 pair barbels (1 pair on nostrils, 1 pair on upper lip, 2 pair on chin); 1 strong spine on anterior dorsal fin and pectoral fins; scaleless. |
Similar Species |
Similar to the channel catfish. Blue catfish have a long straight anal fin, channel catfish anal fin is more rounded and is light brown with numerous small spots; distinguished from other freshwater catfish by the forked tail, all others (except channel catfish) have a rounded tail; distinguished from the saltwater catfish by the 4 pair of barbels (3 or 2 pair in saltwater catfish). |
Habitat |
Freshwater, low salinity bays |
Maximum Size |
165 cm (5 1/2 ft) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. I, 5-6; A. 32-35 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
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State size/bag limits |
bag limit is 25 (includes channel catfishes), only 10 can be greater than 20 in.; Check for state record. |