Hardhead Catfish

Family Ariidae, SEA CATFISHES
Arius felis

Description: brownish to gray-green; white to yellowish below; fin spines with no fleshy filaments; barbel at corner of mouth not very flattened and shorter than head; four barbels on chin.

Size: to 60 cm (2 ft.) and 5.5 kg (12 lbs.) but usually much smaller.

Where found: same as for gafftopsail catfish usually much more common.

Remarks: commonly caught from catwalks, bridges, and piers, particularly in passes and inland waterways; edible, but generally not eaten.

*The Florida records quoted are from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and are not necessarily the most current ones. The records are provided as only as a benchmark.