Moby the Blue Catfish (Unknown-2025)
Obituary
Moby died at an aquarium in Oklahoma in early February.
Moby, a blue catfish, died at the Medicine Park Aquarium and Natural Sciences Center in Oklahoma on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Moby lived at the aquarium since its opening in 2017.
Fishes suffer in captivity just as any other wild animal does. They are sentient beings who experience emotions and pain in a way similar to vertebrates. Aquariums do not provide fishes with the space and freedom that they need. Instead of a vast river or bay, Moby was forced to swim in the same small pool of water for his entire life. No matter how big, a tank cannot come close to a fish’s natural habitat’s richness and diversity. Aquariums also subject fishes to frightening sounds like children screaming, bright lights, and dirty water. While some aquariums post signs telling people not to tap on the glass, it’s frequently ignored.
Blue catfishes live across the US. They are native to Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Rio Grande river basins but have been introduced to other waters so people can hunt them for “fun.” Blue catfishes traveled to other waters after being introduced to the Chesapeake Bay in the 1970s. Their presence now jeopardizes the ecosystem because they eat many species, including blue crabs.
All catfishes have whisker-like barbels around their mouths that help them locate food. They can be as small as twigs or reach nine feet long. Blue catfishes like Moby are usually less than two feet long but can grow as large as five feet long and 100 pounds. While both parents share in caregiving, male catfishes are likelier to be the primary caretaker.
World Animal Protection urges everyone who fishes to enjoy them in the wild or at sanctuaries. Though fish sanctuaries are a newer concept, multiple micro-sanctuaries now exist in the US. Friends of Philip Fish Sanctuary regularly shares stories about its residents that illuminate their complex inner lives.
