Blue Catfish,  Ictalurus furcatus

 
Physical Description: 
�	Deeply forked tail
�	Long, straight-margined anal fin
�	Stout body, round anteriorly, compressed posteriorly
�	Sharp dorsal and pectoral spines
�	Depressed head, small to moderate eye
�	Profile of the top of the head and nape is straight
�	Subterminal to inferior mouth
�	Gray to slate-blue colored back
�	Silver side

Similar species: 
�	Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
�	Headwater catfish (Ictalurus lupus)
�	Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 500-900 mm standard length 

Habitat:
�	Deep, swift water channels and flowing pools

Distribution in VA:
�	Atlantic slope drainages

Food Habits:  
�	Invertebrates, fish, frogs, and mollusks

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Spawning occurs in April and May in water that is 21-24oC
�	Nests constructed in sheltered areas by the male or both sexes
�	Fecundity is 2,000 eggs per pound of female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	Popular fishery in the James and Rappahannock Rivers
�	One of Virginia's largest freshwater or anadromous fishes

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. 

If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service):

Black Bullhead Blue Catfish Brown Bullhead Channel Catfish Flat Bullhead Flathead Catfish Margined Madtom Mountain Madtom Orangefin Madtom Stonecat Tadpole Madtom White Catfish Yellow Bullhead Yellowfin Madtom Continue Browsing Families..... Petromyzontidae, Lampreys Polyodontidae, Paddlefish Acipenseridae, Sturgeons Lepisosteidae, Gars Amiidae, Bowfins Anguillidae, Freshwater Eels Amblyopsidae, Cavefishes Ictaluridae, Catfish Percopsidae, Trout-Perches Salmonidae, Trouts Clupeidae, Herrings Esocidae, Pikes Aphredoderidae, Pirate Perches Umbridae, Mudminnows Fundulidae, Killifishes Poeciliidae, Livebearers Cyprinidae, Minnows Catostomidae, Suckers Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks Atherinidae, Silversides Cottidae, Sculpins Sciaenidae, Drums Percidae, Perches Moronidae, Striped Basses Centrarchidae, Sunfishes