R.I.P. - Big Blue

From the Sioux City Journal:

Largest North American catfish in captivity dies
State officials say Big Blue -- believed to have been the largest North American catfish in captivity -- has died in a Nebraska aquarium.

Known as "Big Blue," the 95-pound catfish was brought to the Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium in Gretna more than 11 years ago in 1997, in the bed of a pickup. The fish was caught by Cliff and Donna Ferguson in the Nishnabotna River in northwest Missouri.

Aquarium staff say the fish had stopped eating his regular diet of trout, of which he used to eat seven a week. The fish died Tuesday.

Based on an examination of the Big Blue's spine and ear bone, aquarium staff determined the fish was at least 35 years old at the time of his death. That would make him among the longest living blue catfish ever documented.

35 years is an old fish of any species! Had a good and happy life.