The blue catfish is bluish silver dorsally, silvery white ventrally, and reaches a maximum adult size of 5.5 feet, although typical fish are 2 feet in length. An individual of 3.3 feet can weigh more than 50 pounds. In the 1800s there were reports of blue catfish that exceeded 150 pounds, but the largest recorded fish is one from South Dakota that weighed 97 pounds. Individuals are reported to live at least 10 years. The blue catfish is a carnivorous bottom feeder that hunts a variety of prey, including other fish, insects, crayfish, clams and mussels.
Adults construct a nest and care for it until the young hatch.
Spawning occurs from April to June. Because of its large size and firm, well-flavored flesh, the blue catfish is highly valued as a food fish. The tidal portions of the James and Rappahannock rivers support an ample sport fishery, and commercial fishers probably catch them as well, although little stock information is available. Smaller than blue and channel catfish. White catfish spawn in still or flowing waters near sand or gravel banks.