The lifespan of catfish can vary across various species. In general, catfish can live up to 20 years, but Wels catfish can live up to 30 years in the water.
Catfish can survive hours after they’re taken out of the water so long as their skin stays moist. There are catfish recorded that have lived up to 18 hours even without water.
Catfish have permeable skin that’s capable of absorbing oxygen. During drought, catfish bury themselves in mud, absorbing oxygen through their skin. This allows them to remain alive for up to an entire year.
The majority of catfish live in freshwater; however, there are two species that live in saltwater. Over half of all the species of catfish in the world are native to the US. This includes flathead catfish, channel catfish, and blue catfish.
Knowing exactly how long catfish can survive, particularly out of the water, can be important if you’re practicing catch and release. Make sure that the fish doesn’t dry out so they can return unharmed to their habitat.