What is the potential upper limit for the length and approximate lifespan of the Wels catfish?
Answer
Up to 13 feet (4 meters) and sometimes exceeding eight decades.
The Wels catfish is renowned for its massive dimensions, capable of growing to truly staggering sizes over a substantial lifespan. Verified records indicate that these fish can potentially achieve lengths reaching up to 13 feet, which is approximately 4 meters. Furthermore, these slow-growing behemoths possess a significant longevity, with documented lifespans sometimes extending beyond eighty years. This combination of extreme size and advanced age contributes to their notorious wariness, especially among the older specimens encountered by anglers.

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