Age and Growth Variability between Sexes of Three Catfish Species in Lake Wilson, Alabama

Abstract Blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus, channel catfish I. punctatus, and flathead catfish Pylodictus olivaris were collected from Lake Wilson (Tennessee River), Alabama. Fish were aged with otoliths to determine sex-specific differences in growth, age structure, and longevity. Male blue catfish grew faster, lived longer, and attained larger sizes than females. Growth of flathead catfish did not differ statistically between sexes; however, male flathead catfish tended to be longer and to attain older ages than females. Sex-specific differences in age-related population demographics were not evident for channel catfish. Reproductive strategies of catfishes may cause sexual selection toward larger male blue catfish and flathead catfish. Recently imposed harvest regulations in Alabama that permit only one catfish greater than 864 mm to be harvested daily will protect older and slower-growing female blue catfish and could allow disproportionate protection of larger male blue catfish and flathead catfish.