They adapt well to nearly any setting. The Mississippi River is home to one of the largest species of freshwater fish in the state, blue catfish. Coloration is usually slate blue faded to a white belly. The fish can live to 20 years. When does a blue cat become a significant player in the food chain? Catfish has some culinary detractors (you know – food snobs), but for my money it is some of the best Southern coastal cooking. Because of their huge numbers, long lifespan, large sizes, and voracious appetites, scientists have worried that blue catfish have the ability to upend river ecosystems, harming populations of native fish like American shad and potentially even blue crabs. The Siluriformes order contains the thousands of different species of catfish on Earth. Living in brackish water is easy to do for the blue catfish can tolerate this condition. Biology and Life History: The blue catfish is the largest freshwater sport fish found in Texas. The Blue Catfish is a species in the large taxonomic order Siluriformes. Some of its closest relatives include the bullhead catfish, channel catfish, and more. It can live up to 20 years. Lifespan of Blue crayfish. Just as soon as its jaws will fit around a bluegill. Blue catfish can reach weights of 50 pounds or more, which means they can be the dominant predator all other species. The blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) is the largest species of North American catfish, reaching a length of 165 cm (65 in) and a weight of 68 kg (150 lb).The typical length is about 25–46 in (64–117 cm). In my opinion the best tasting catfish is the Blue Catfish which is running wild, literally, in the Chesapeake Bay. Enjoying Blue Catfish. Electric Blue Crayfish are very hardy despite its delicate looks. Use this chart to estimate how much a blue or flathead catfish weighs. Managers hope to increase public awareness of blue catfish. 1990) In advance of spawning, Blue Catfish seek protected areas to deposit eggs behind rocks, root-wads, depressions, undercut stream banks, or other areas where the currents are minimal (Graham et … Facts about Blue Catfish 4: the invasive pests. There is an amazing variety of catfish to be found, both farm-raised and wild. The maximum lifespan of a blue catfish is around 20-25 years. In Chesapeake Bay, blue catfish is included as pest. Blue Catfish spawns in late spring to early summer at water temperatures of 21 to 25°C (Sublette et al. A blue catfish will also have 30 -36 anal fin rays. Spawning: Spawning usually takes place in late May or early June when the water temperature reaches 75 degrees F. Hollow logs, overhanging underwater ledges or holes under mud banks are typical nesting places. A 4-ounce serving of blue catfish includes 19 grams … Blue catfish has a very long lifespan. It is the largest species of catfish in North America. Living a little longer is possible for the crayfish but this is the average in captivity. Blue catfish feed primarily on fish, mussels, snails, insects and crayfish. Channel cats, on the other hand, seldom exceed 10-12 pounds in a small, closed system. Read on to learn about the Blue Catfish. They want people to understand the effects of blue catfish on the Bay and to know that they are delicious and nutritious. You can find them living in a colony in coastal area. They commonly weigh 20-40 pounds and can live up to 40 years. Females lay about 10,000 eggs each. What is the biggest fish in the Mississippi River? READ Quick Answer: What Is The Biggest Music Festival In Europe? Like most species of crayfish, the lifespan of the Electric Blue Crayfish is about five or six years which is relatively long. Catfish will also have 30 -36 anal fin rays cat become a significant player in the,... 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