GAFFTOPSAIL CATFISH – Bagre marinus

Article by: Mark Mayo

Family Ariidae, SEA CATFISHES

Description: bluish above; silvery below; dorsal and pectoral fins with long, fleshy filaments on spines; barbel at cornor of mouth flattened, bandlike, and very elongate, sometimes reaching anal fin; only 2 barbels on chin.

Size: to 60 cm (2 ft.) and 2.5 kg (5 to 6 lbs.).

Where found: continental waters; enters brackish waters; usually less common than the hardhead catfish.

Remarks: commonly caught by anglers along bridges, piers, and catwalks; a good food fish, but not much used.

Mark Mayo

I research and report on fishing, fishing gear/equipment, survival topics, and marketing for outdoors related business. I assist here on CB Fishing as the editor-in-chief. Articles may contain AI researched content. All content is published for education and entertainment purposes only. NOT LIFE, HEALTH, SURVIVAL, FINANCIAL, BUSINESS, LEGAL OR ANY OTHER ADVICE. Learn more about Mark Mayo