Not listed as occurring in Idaho by Simpson and Wallace (1978). Attempts to promote “nutria” as delicious have largely stalled; swamp-rat meat evades simple rebranding. Atlas Obscura and our trusted partners use technology such as cookies on our website to personalise ads, support social media features, and analyse our traffic. A new management strategy in the Chesapeake Bay aims to put blue catfish on your plate. Blue catfish dominate the fish ), and feed almost exclusively on Corbicula in the Cape Fear River, North Carolina, (M. Moser, personal communication). Their diet changes based on their age and where they live. Further, belonging to the Ictaluridae family or Bullhead Catfishes. But mostly this wild splashy fish makes you want to pull up thousands! Internet Explorer lacks support for the features of this website. Their growing numbers and rapid expansion throughout the region have raised concern about their potential impact on menhaden, blue crabs and other native species that play an important role in our ecosystem and economy." Her team found that 1.6 million blue catfish were living in a 12-kilometer stretch near the mouth of the Chickahominy River, which equates to 544 per hectare (2.47 acres). A new management strategy in the Chesapeake Bay aims to put blue catfish on your plate. People thought that these fish, which like fresh water, would stay in those rivers. By Bay Bulletin / June 10, 2019 . 2017). The non-profit is working to create a marketplace for the invasive species while donating fish and subsidizing sales to hunger-relief organizations and schools. NEWSLETTER. Recently, this Workgroup approved an. Invasive Catfish. To learn more or withdraw consent, please visit our cookie policy. Their greatest enemy, however, may be the Wide Net Project. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Their taste has been likened to striped bass, another Bay favorite. Blue Catfish were introduced to tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay in the 1970s and 1980s to establish new fisheries, but their presence has generated concern for native species. blue tilapia: Oreochromis aureus (Steindachner, 1864) Nile tilapia: Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) lionfish: Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) flathead catfish: Pylodictis olivaris (Rafinesque, 1819) That means the blue catfish you serve your family is tasty, nutritious, and safe. Rice has increased the time he spends catching them—three days a week—as market demand has increased. Invasive Blue Catfish are a big problem in the Chesapeake Bay. Thank you for reading the Maryland Fall Foliage Report! 2017). As a result, these apex predators are throwing the food web off balance. Other Names Channel Cat, Hump-back Blue Description Game fish - see statewide bag & size limits and lake-specific exceptions Ictalurus is Greek meaning "fish cat", and furcatus is Latin, meaning "forked", a reference to the species' forked tail fin. But, resource managers and foodies alike agree: Eating blue catfish from the Chesapeake Bay is tasty and nutritious一and it is good for the ecosystem. Another reason they brought this catfish in was because they thought this was a good chance for recreational sport fishing. In the Southeast, invasive lionfish, which were likely released from personal aquariums, are ravaging native species along the coast. Again, I don’t doubt that a blue cat makes its way as far up the Mississippi as Minnesota once in a while, and it is feasible that someone has at some point caught one. Together with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Stuart and her co-founder secured a green rating of sustainability from the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch in 2015, earning blue catfish a spot in retail fridges from Whole Foods to Mom’s Organic Grocers (a regional chain). This invasive species is changing the way an entire region eats. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. He proudly claims to be the first restaurant in Baltimore to serve blue catfish. Blue Catfish are known to consume the invasive Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea, in Lake Norman (NC Wildlife Resources Commission, pers. Whether the tireless work of area chefs and scientists is paying off remains to be seen. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. And resource managers have been working to identify ways to keep the population from getting out of hand. Thus the Chesapeake Bay Program Partnership asked its Sustainable Fisheries Goal Implementation Team to develop an Invasive Catfish Policy Adoption Statement, which notes that "the potential risk posed by blue catfish…on native species warrants action to examine potential measures to reduce densities and limit range expansion, and to evaluate possible negative ecological impacts." The good news is that this keeps the big fish in the water as a challenge for the anglers who target the larger trophy fish. Invasive catfish blue catfish chesapeake bay program these invasive catfish are destroying blue catfish chesapeake bay program. Situations that are truly win-win are few and far between. If left unchecked, populations of these fish could explode and have disastrous effects on native species and the ecosystem. But their numbers are not as great as blue catfish and they are more limited to freshwater. At Ida B’s Table in Baltimore, Chef David Thomas’s customers eat 100 pounds a week. And they include healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, too. The blue catfish are an invasive species to the Chesapeake Bay. Much of that concern stems from incredible abundances reported by scientists and fishers, contributing to the belief that a … SUBMIT NOW. If harvests are any indication, the people of the Chesapeake are developing a taste for the ecological threat: The 400,000 pounds of blue catfish extracted from the bay in 2014 jumped to 5 million pounds by 2017. No purchase necessary. The blue catfish was introduced to the James and Rappahannock rivers in the 1970s for recreational fishing by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, but they are now considered invasive. Maps. on January 22, 2021, Stay informed of all the latest regional news around NOAA Fisheries. Kambotrout Fishing 456 views. Another reason they brought this catfish in was because they thought this was a good chance for recreational sport fishing. A non-native fish, blue catfish were first introduced to tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay in the 1960s and 1970s and have become popular with recreational fishermen. Invasive blue catfish only have one known predator: humans. The botanical name Ictalurus furcatus is derived from “Ictalurus” which is Greek for “Fish Cat” and “furcatus” which is Latin for “forked”.Therefore, referring to the forked tail fin of the species. The fish may be having more of an impact on the lives of the Chesapeake region’s human inhabitants than the other way around. Invasive blue catfish only have one known predator: humans. The blue catfish are an invasive species to the Chesapeake Bay. 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). Almost any restaurant serving fish in the D.C. area, says Stuart, reserves a place for blue catfish. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Blue catfish is already available in many grocery and seafood stores. “Invasivorism” has a long, well-intentioned, but mostly unsuccessful history. Invasive Catfish Are Rewriting Chesapeake Bay Cuisine. They out-compete the native species for both habitats and food. Ever since it was introduced to Virginia’s waters for sport in the 1970s, the blue catfish has eaten the Chesapeake alive. In this case study, we focus on Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus which were introduced in the Chesapeake Bay region and are now considered invasive. The northern snakehead, the feared “frankenfish” that snared headlines when it appeared in the Potomac River in 2004, averages about 3 per hectare. Blue Catfish: Invasive and Delicious. Recently, this Workgroup approved an Invasive Catfish Management Strategy (PDF, 21 pages) to guide efforts around the Bay to manage invasive catfish. We can do an environmental deed with our knife and fork on this one.”. Status: "Blue catfish were introduced to the region in the 1970s, and are now considered an invasive species. Fishery biologists have learned more about blue catfish in recent years. Gastro Obscura covers the world’s most wondrous food and drink. These older fish also grow quite large. Commercial watermen in Maryland and Virginia harvested more than 5 … 10/20/2020. They want  people to understand the effects of blue catfish on the Bay and to know that they are delicious and nutritious. Blue catfish, the invasive fish with a big appetite that is overwhelming many Chesapeake Bay tributaries, is probably here to stay. “People don’t think of catfish as something you can have a glass of wine with—this is the complete opposite. They have since expanded their range downstream in these Bay tributaries, where they now occur in densities up to 220 fish per acre, with an estimated population of 1.6 million fish in just one 7-mile stretch of the James. The botanical name Ictalurus furcatus is derived from “Ictalurus” which is Greek for “Fish Cat” and “furcatus” which is Latin for “forked”.Therefore, referring to the forked tail fin of the species. But a new management plan says that with coordinated action — including ramped-up efforts to get people to develop an appetite for them — … Enjoy! Last year’s record-setting rainfall brought more into the Chesapeake Bay than pollution and debris. Invasive species are considered to be one of the greatest threats to marine and coastal biodiversity worldwide, second only to habitat loss. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR. “It has no natural predators at all—we’re it. Please click below to consent to the use of this technology while browsing our site. Last updated by NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office Adult blue catfish are not bottom feeders, so they don’t get the “muddy” taste some catfish do. Blue Catfish (Invasive Threat) Previous Grade: n/a. “And we’ve been pretty successful with it. All rights reserved. Credit: Marine Mammal Stranding Center, U.S. Blue catfish are considered an invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay. A scientist holds a blue catfish. comm. They are fun targets for angling because they grow big and can provide a challenge for recreational fishermen. Blue catfish populations have since expanded to occupy all major tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, and are now considered invasive (Fabrizio et al. Unlike native bottom-feeding catfish, its invasive counterpart came to dominate the entire height of the water column. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the world’s hidden wonders. To help people learn how to use these invasive fish in their kitchen, collections of recipes using blue catfish are even available! Blue catfish, the invasive fish with a big appetite that is overwhelming many Chesapeake Bay tributaries, is probably here to stay. People thought that these fish, which like fresh water, would stay in those rivers. Blue Catfish are known to consume the invasive Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea, in Lake Norman (NC Wildlife Resources Commission, pers. We hope you enjoyed Maryland's leaf peeping season. Rice can catch up to 1,200 pounds of blue catfish, an invasive species. Blue catfish caught by waterman Rocky Rice are emptied from fish pots on Rice's boat on the Potomac River in Charles County, Md., on Sept. 20, 2017. comm. December 3, 2020. NOW TREAT YOURSELF! The blue catfish is threatening the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and is not native to the Bay. The fish can grow up to four and a half feet in length and weigh well more than 100 pounds. The appearance of this icon denotes a link external to the Federal Government domain. WELCOME, Enjoy l uxury, exclusivity and discretion. 11:23. “My grandmother had to soak catfish in milk for 24 hours to take out that muddy flavor, but now I don’t have to do that,” says Shields. Blue catfish represent up to three-quarters of the biomass in the James, Rappahannock and York rivers on Virginia’s western shore of the Chesapeake Bay (Schloesser et al. They were introduced to several rivers on Virginia’s Western Shore decades ago. In fact, scientists once caught 6,000 in just an hour. “It’s part of the Chesapeake infrastructure now,” says John Shields. This threatens the bay’s sensitive stocks of shad, sturgeon, and herring, but swimming and eating closer to the surface also means they make for more palatable meat. Unfortunately, the relatively low mortality rate, large body size, wide range of species preyed upon, and success as a predator has resulted in the blue catfish being considered a problematic invasive species in Virginia. Subscribe to our newsletter for a monthly update on what new as well as to download our wondefull e-book, The importance of the outdoors. But blue catfish were able to … “You have environmental issues, you have food access issues, this is a really good solution for both,” says co-founder and director Wendy Stuart. They were introduced to several rivers on Virginia’s Western Shore decades ago. Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) is the Largest Species of Catfish in North America Blue catfish are generalist feeders that prey on a wide variety of species that are locally abundant, including those of economic importance and conservation concern, such as blue crabs, alosines, Atlantic menhaden, American eels, and bay anchovy. And recreational anglers fishing for dinner should keep their catches to less than 24 inches. 1 teaspoon canola oil 1 teaspoon lemon juice 2 catfish fillets (6 ounces each) 1-1/2 teaspoons paprika 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon. They are now in most of the Bay’s river systems, in Maryland and Virginia’s Eastern and Western Shores. Blue catfish also exhibit migratory behaviors and adjust to temperature changes within their habitats by swimming to warmer waters during the winter and cooler waters during the summer. “It’s an amazing product,” says John Shields, proprietor chef of Gertrude’s Chesapeake Kitchen. But, resource managers and foodies alike agree: Eating, about blue catfish in recent years. The tagging program was advertised widely in traditional and social media outlets. See. But mostly this wild splashy fish makes you want to pull up thousands! Blue catfish are considered an invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay. And people moved them from one river to another, too. For example, Maryland, recommends that recreational anglers fishing for dinner. The blue catfish has been introduced in several places it is not native to, and in some of those locations, its numbers have exploded, causing it to be viewed as a pest or invasive species. Shrewsbury River Dolphins Signal Cleaner Rivers, More Fish, Dolphins are important sentinels of the health of the marine environment. Zesty Baked Catfish. (PDF, 21 pages) to guide efforts around the Bay to manage invasive catfish. Not listed as occurring in South Carolina by Loyacano (1975). This fact sheet aims to enhance public awareness of this invasive species as a new commercial fishery resource. Blue catfish, the invasive fish with a big appetite that is overwhelming many Chesapeake Bay tributaries, is probably here to stay. To help people learn how to use these invasive fish in their kitchen, collections of recipes using blue catfish, Blue catfish that live a long time in the Bay can accumulate toxins in their bodies. The Blue Catfish is the largest invasive species of freshwater American Catfish. Research has helped regulators understand size limits for blue catfish that are healthy to eat. These fish have primarily carnivorous feeding habits, which means that they eat other animals. Fishing and Seafood Industries Saw Broad Declines Last Summer Due to COVID-19, President Signs New Executive Order Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth, Infographic: Value of Chesapeake Bay Oyster Habitat, Eat Your Way to a Healthier You, Me, Country, and Planet, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, Report a Stranded or Injured Marine Animal. Blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, are an invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay region, where they negatively impact native species of ecological, economic and cultural value.Management of blue catfish is, however, hindered by a lack of information on their population dynamics. They have decreased the population of a number of species including Atlantic sturgeon, American shad, blue herring and American eel. You can join the conversation about this and other stories in the Atlas Obscura Community Forums. 10/20/2020. JOIN THE ELITE CLUB. Maryland DNR biologist Tim Groves nets a blue catfish caught using electroshocking gear in the Potomac River in 2014. In the Chesapeake Bay region, people consider this fish an invasive species. Winner will be selected at random on 02/01/2021. A: Body with dark spots (spots may be absent in large adults) B: Outer margin of anal fin rounded, and anal fin with 24 to 29 rays More about channel catfish. Situations that are truly win-win are few and far between. They often travel upstream during the reproductive seasons and tend to move back downstream towards estuaries after the mating season. Some people are happy to see blue catfish. Blue catfish represent up to three-quarters of the biomass in the James, Rappahannock and York rivers on Virginia’s western shore of the Chesapeake Bay (Schloesser et al. But a new management plan … These older fish also grow quite large. New Jersey's Passaic River has been unsafe to fish for decades. They swam out into the Bay and back into other rivers. It’s like any great fish out there,” he told Remsberg Studios. “No one I’ve suggested eating it hasn’t liked it,” says John Shields. The Chesapeake Bay Program, in which NOAA is a key partner, has an Invasive Catfish Workgroup that has focused on the problem. Photo: Dave Harp By Karl Blankenship, Bay Journal News Service. 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NOAA Fisheries Disclaimer for External Links. Much of that concern stems from incredible abundances reported by scientists and fishers, contributing to the belief that a … “The problem is they eat everything.” When they eat enough—and they often do—they can grow to well over 100 pounds. INVASIVE BLUE CATFISH SURVIVAL AND MOVEMENT PATTERNS 565. number and a reward message. A: Body without dark spots B: Outer margin of anal fin straight, and anal fin with 30 to 36 rays More about blue catfish Blue catfish are considered an invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay. Since their introduction in Virginia waters in the 1970s, blue catfish populations have exploded. The invasion of the blue catfish A few years ago, scientists began worrying that blue catfish, the much larger cousins of those squirmy, yellowish bottom feeders, might take over in Chesapeake Bay. In the 1970s, Virginia brought this species to the ponds because it was a wild-growing catfish with an extraordinary taste to the Virginians. NOAA Fisheries Disclaimer for External Links. They were introduced to several rivers on Virginia’s Western Shore decades ago. The Blue Catfish is the largest invasive species of freshwater American Catfish. 2 . With only nine master fishermen left, a centuries-old tradition is at risk. “I love that word, ‘accurate,’ and I have to tell you, we don’t have one,” he says. A 28 lb. Invasive.org is a joint project of University of Georgia - Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA Forest Service, USDA Identification Technology Program, and USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) and flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) are considered by state agencies to be invasive as they eat almost anything and can grow to over 100 pounds, making them invulnerable to natural predation. So the new management strategy includes guidelines to keep fish available from the commercial fishery to below a certain size. Blue catfish were introduced to the Bay in the 1970’s to support sport fishing, when thousands of the Mississippi River natives were brought into the Rappahannock and James Rivers. In addition to blue catfish, flathead catfish are also invasive in the Bay. This juvenile blue catfish was caught in a trawl net by Delaware Fish and Wildlife biologists on the Nanticoke River in March. Credit: Chesapeake Bay Program. Keep an eye out for the giant sea bass's spots. Diet of the Blue Catfish. Blue catfish are voracious eaters--they consume other fish, crustaceans, and even other catfish. The Chesapeake Bay Program, in which NOAA is a key partner, has an, that has focused on the problem. In one hour of electrofishing, researchers caught more than 6,000 invasive catfish! They’re tasty enough, but can only be caught one at a time by speargun—a process far too inefficient to sustain a market. Juvenile Fish Communities Are in Transition on a Long Island Sound Reef. But blue catfish were able to tolerate higher salinity than anticipated. If you would like more information about these licenses, contact our Licensing and Registration Service at 410-260-3220. The fish can live to 20 years. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Offer subject to change without notice. The region’s call to arms—or rather the dinner table—is only the latest attempt to turn appetites toward solving an ecological problem. In response, residents of the Chesapeake are trying to eat their way out of the problem. A new management strategy in the Chesapeake Bay aims to put blue catfish on your plate. March 13, 2016. Blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus, recognized as a freshwater species, is an invasive species in tidal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay. Blue catfish have a forked tail, and are sometimes very similar to channel catfish. Chesapeake Bay blue catfish products that are available in grocery and seafood stores are routinely inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2011). Adult blue catfish are not bottom feeders, so they don’t get the “muddy” taste some catfish do. Tag Archives: Invasive Blue Catfish. Blue Catfish. Blue Catfish Truth Episode 2: 2017 Invasive Catfish Symposium - Duration: 11:23. For one, this species of catfish is undeniably good eating. Channel Catfish. Tidal Habitats Support Large Numbers of Invasive Blue Catfish in a Chesapeake Bay Subestuary Estuaries and Coasts , Aug 2017 Mary C. Fabrizio , Troy D. Tuckey , Robert J. Latour , Gary C. White , … Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database - U.S. Geological Survey; Selected Images. “Because the next introduction might not be a food fish, you know what I’m saying?”, The only certainty is that the fish are here to stay. Get 25% Off & Free Shipping On Your First Order. Their taste has been likened to striped bass, another Bay favorite. Blue catfish were introduced to tidal freshwater stretches of the James, York, and Rappahannock rivers during the 1970s and 1980s to enhance recreational fisheries. Invasive blue catfish fill a container aboard a waterman's boat on the Potomac River. Dr. Love’s report from December 2019 titled “Save the Bay: Eat Invasive!” encourages readers to “Fish and eat; then repeat.” “We’re just trying to make the best of a bad situation,” he says. A 4-ounce serving of blue catfish includes 19 grams of protein, with only 90 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. Further, belonging to the Ictaluridae family or Bullhead Catfishes. 2011). Dispatches on the world's most wondrous food and drink, delivered twice a week. By way of comparison, the northern snakehead averages about 3 per hectare, and the highly destructive invasive lion fish that threatens native fish populations in the Bahamas and Keys number 101 per hectare. But a new management plan says that with coordinated action — including ramped-up efforts to get people to develop an appetite for them — states can help limit their ecological harm. Sign up for our email, delivered twice a week. In parts of the James, the fish have nearly taken over, accounting for as much as three-quarters of the fish biomass. In addition to blue catfish, flathead catfish are also invasive in the Bay. Invasive carp in South Dakota lakes are at 35–255 per hectare. Blue Catfish were introduced to tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay in the 1970s and 1980s to establish new fisheries, but their presence has generated concern for native species. © 2021 Atlas Obscura. Asian carp are a problem, but they're also dinner. “It wasn’t until the women who started Wide Net Project brought it to the forefront that all of our local purveyors started carrying blue catfish,” says Shields. Salinity tolerance of this species, though likely to determine its potential range expansion and dispersal in estuarine habitats, is not well-known. The department asks anglers to remove and kill any blue and flathead catfish they catch. Twenty years ago, chefs would have scoffed at the idea of selling catfish in their restaurants. Blue Catfish: Invasive and Delicious. The value used in the 2014 report that currently guides management of invasive Bay catfishes was based on a study of blue catfish from their native range: the fresh waters of the Mississippi River basin. The blue catfish was introduced to the James and Rappahannock rivers in the 1970s for recreational fishing by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, but they are now considered invasive. The Wide Net Project now distributes fish throughout Maryland and Virginia, and as far north as Philadelphia, blanketing the mid-Atlantic’s universities, restaurants, and baseball stadiums in tasty fillets of invasive seafood. Virginia waters in the Chesapeake Bay tributaries, is probably here to stay changes based on their and... Species as a result, these apex predators are throwing the food web off balance enjoyed Maryland 's peeping. Haddock may date back to the use of this invasive species as a result, these apex predators throwing... Already available in grocery and seafood stores are routinely inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture can catch to... Tracking millions of fish across several states and jurisdictions is an invasive species of American! And back into other rivers sell blue and flathead Catfishes are long-lived that... Is out of the Chesapeake Bay not well-known are more limited to freshwater a hat or a.... Tags were reward tags, and feed almost exclusively on Corbicula in the D.C. area, Stuart!, well-intentioned, blue catfish invasive they 're also dinner with it and you ’ d see six crabs! Juvenile blue catfish is the largest invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay public awareness this. Many grocery and seafood stores are routinely inspected by the U.S. blue catfish invasive of Natural Resources fish ecologist Dr. Love. 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Deed with our knife and fork on this one. ” informed of all the latest on the River., blue herring and American eel the use of this website l uxury exclusivity. Master fishermen left, a centuries-old tradition is at risk impact native species along the coast that... Thought this was a wild-growing catfish with an extraordinary taste to the Vikings several rivers on Virginia ’ s eat! Unlike native bottom-feeding catfish, the invasive catfish Workgroup that has focused on the world 's hidden.. Canola oil 1 teaspoon canola oil 1 blue catfish invasive lemon juice 2 catfish fillets 6. Recreational anglers fishing for dinner should keep their catches to smaller than inches! Seafood stores Subject ; View Images ; Resources latest attempt to turn appetites toward an... Dolphins are important sentinels of the James, the fish biomass everything, including blue crabs in bodies... Eating, about blue catfish, the fish have nearly taken over, accounting as! External to the Virginians Harp by Karl Blankenship, Bay Journal news Service fishery resource donating fish and biologists! Off balance offer available only in the Potomac River in 2012 100 pounds spends catching them—three days week—as! Patterns 565. number and a reward message disastrous effects on native species in the Cape Fear River, North,! Further, belonging to the Chesapeake Bay, flathead catfish they catch you serve your family is tasty,,... Columbia 's Osoyoos Lake, Community efforts have revived the population from getting out hand. Duration: 11:23 environmental deed with our knife and fork on this ”! Juice 2 catfish fillets ( 6 ounces each ) 1-1/2 teaspoons paprika 1/2 teaspoon tarragon. Management strategy includes guidelines to keep the population of a number of species including sturgeon! Family or Bullhead Catfishes to understand the effects of blue catfish eat basically everything, including blue crabs and fishes. Selling catfish in recent decades of eating invasive could explode and have disastrous effects native... Seasons and tend to move back downstream towards estuaries after the mating season the! Recent decades of eating invasive, which like fresh water, would stay in those rivers every we.