* Smaller catfish: These typically live for 5-10 years.
* Medium-sized catfish: These can live for 10-20 years.
* Larger catfish: Some species, like the blue catfish, can live for 30 years or more in the wild.
Factors affecting lifespan:
* Species: Different catfish species have different lifespans.
* Environment: Factors like water quality, food availability, and predators can affect how long a catfish lives.
* Aquarium conditions: Catfish kept in aquariums tend to have shorter lifespans than those in the wild due to factors like limited space and diet.
For example:
* Channel catfish: Can live for 15-20 years.
* Blue catfish: Can live for 30 years or more.
* African catfish: Can live for 10-15 years.
If you're interested in learning more about the lifespan of a specific catfish species, I recommend searching for information online or consulting with a fish expert.