Many people associate catfish with freshwater rivers and lakes. However, certain species thrive not in freshwater, but in the ocean’s salty expanse.
Yes, Catfish Live in the Ocean
Yes, catfish live in the ocean. These marine species, distinct from their freshwater relatives, share characteristic barbels and typically lack scales. Their adaptations allow them to regulate internal salt balance, a crucial ability for survival in saltwater, enabling them to thrive in saline environments. They are often found in coastal areas, foraging on the seafloor.
Meet the Marine Catfish
Hardhead Catfish
The Hardhead Catfish (Ariopsis felis) is a commonly encountered marine species. They have a brownish to gray-green body with a lighter belly and a slightly flattened head featuring a distinctive bony plate. Hardheads typically measure 10 to 12 inches long, weighing less than a pound, though some reach 28 inches and 12 pounds. They inhabit nearshore Western Atlantic waters, including the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Keys, often found in brackish estuaries and river mouths with sandy or muddy bottoms. They possess six barbels: four located under the chin and two at the corners of their mouth, which aid in finding food.
Gafftopsail Catfish
The Gafftopsail Catfish (Bagre marinus) is recognizable by elongated filaments extending from its dorsal and pectoral fins. Their coloration ranges from bluish-green to dark brown on top, with a silver belly and a deeply forked tail. Gafftopsails commonly weigh 1 to 3 pounds and can grow up to 2 feet, prevalent in the Western Central Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. They are found in coastal waters, estuaries, lagoons, and mangrove areas. Unlike hardheads, gafftopsails have two barbels under their chin and two long barbels at the mouth corners, and they also feed throughout the water column.
Fishing and Culinary Notes
Both Hardhead and Gafftopsail Catfish are frequently caught by anglers, though sometimes seen as nuisance fish. They readily take various natural baits.
Handling these marine catfish requires caution due to venomous spines on their dorsal and pectoral fins; a puncture can cause pain and swelling. Both species are also covered in a thick slime layer.
Both are safe to consume. Hardheads can have a stronger, “fishy” flavor and are challenging to clean due to sliminess and bony structure. Gafftopsails are generally regarded as having better-tasting, firmer, white meat, especially if the red lateral line is removed.