![]() ![]() It resembles the hardhead catfish, but its dorsal spine has a distinctive fleshy extension (like the fore-and-aft topsail of a ship). The gafftopsail catfish has maxillary barbels and one pair of barbels on the chin. The pelvic fin is 6–12 in (15–30 cm) anterior to the tail fin. The anal fin is a few inches anterior to the tail and is white or pale blue, with 22–28 rays on it and a high, anterior lobe. The typical length of a mature gafftopsail catfish is about 17 in (43 cm). It also has a little hump that looks somewhat like a wave. Its appearance is typical for a catfish except for the deeply forked tail and the venomous, serrated spines. The gafftopsail catfish is blue-grey to dark brown with a light grey belly. Gafftopsails are generally common to abundant in their range. ![]() They are also found in brackish waters, including estuaries, lagoons, brackish seas, and mangroves. Gafftopsail catfish live on the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico coastlines from Cape Cod to Brazil. Some fishermen use traps for catfish, a method regulated by some states. They are caught with hard lures as well as soft plastics, cut bait, and live or dead shrimp. They are taken from piers, jetties, reefs, and the surf, as well as bottom fishing or flats fishing. They are considered strong fighters by anglers. This fish is a common catch in the Southeastern US, although it may be found as far north as New York. The gafftopsail feeds throughout the water column. The male of the species fertilizes the eggs of the female, and broods them in his mouth until they hatch. It has long, venomous spines which can cause painful wounds. The gafftopsail catfish ( Bagre marinus) is a species of marine catfish found in the waters of the western central Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. ![]()
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