How Long Do Catfish Live?

By Staff WriterLast Updated April 10, 2020

Depending on the species, catfish can live from eight to 20 years though the Mekong giant catfish lives more than 60 years. Almost 3,000 species of catfish have been catalogued throughout the world, but it is thought that as many as 4,500 exist.

The Mekong giant catfish is the largest species of catfish. It can grow to 10 feet and weigh up to 650 pounds. It belongs to the shark catfish family and is on the verge of extinction, as of 2014.

Catfish can be found in rivers and streams, lakes and ponds, underground caves and shallow saltwater areas. They are prolific breeders, with some species laying up to 100,000 eggs at a time in optimal conditions.