Gafftopsail sea catfish (Bagre marinus)

Scientific name: Bagre marinus Mitchill, 1815

Gafftopsail sea catfish (Bagre marinus)

The Gafftopsail sea catfish (Bagre marinus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Ariidae. Native range: Western Atlantic, coast of Gulf of Mexico, Cuba, western margin of the Caribbean, and the northern margin of South America. Sometimes in rivers and estuaries.

Biology

Mainly marine but enters brackish estuaries with relatively high salinities. Feeds mainly on small fishes and invertebrates. The dorsal and pectoral fins are equipped with a serrated erectile spine, both of which are venomous. Commonly caught by anglers along bridges, piers and catwalks. Flesh considered good; marketed fresh. Minimum depth reported taken from.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Bagre marinus
Family
Ariidae (Sea catfishes)
Order
Siluriformes (Catfish)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
69.0
Common length
50.0
Depth range
0–50 m (0–164 ft)
Environment
Marine; brackish; demersal; depth range 0 - 50 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: coast of Gulf of Mexico, Cuba, western margin of the Caribbean, and the northern margin of South America. Sometimes in rivers and estuaries.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Venomous
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec = 70)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated