CatfishGaftopsail
Gaftopsail Catfish
Seacat, Sail Top Catfish, Sail Cat
Bagre marinus

Description:

Elongate silvery scaleless body that tapers to a forked tail. Barbels: 1 long white flat barbel on both sides of mouth and 2 short white barbels on chin. Head slightly depressed with slight incline towards dorsal fin. Upper half of body dark gray/brown, olive green, or gray/silver-blue and fades to white near belly. Single dorsal fin and both pectoral fins have spines. First ray of dorsal and pectoral fins extends past the spine into long fleshy filamentsRounded anal fin.

Average Maximum Size:

51 cm (20 in)

Adults Distinguishing Characteristics:

The Gafftopsail Catfish differs from all other native catfish with its greatly elongated first dorsal ray, no other regional catfish has a similar dorsal feature.

Juveniles Distinguishing Characteristics:

NA

Range:

Massachusetts to Brazil

Habitat:

Found in coastal salt and brackish waters with muddy and sandy bottoms. Can also be found around structure such as bridges and piers. Have been observed in rivers and estuaries.

Notes:

Spines in pectoral and dorsal fins mildly venomous. Handle carefully.

Regulated Species:

No

Regulations Website:

Species: Bagre marinus
Family: Ariidae
Family Description: Sea Catfish
Mouth Type: Terminal, Subterminal
Tail Type: Forked
Dorsal Type: Single

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