Gafftopsail Catfish

Family Ariidae, SEA CATFISHES
Bagre marinus

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.

*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.