Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body elongate, the head is flattened dorsoventrally, the body is flattened laterally; body is scaleless; color bluish above, white below; sharp, thick serrated spine in dorsal fin and both pectoral fins; 1st ray of dorsal and pectoral fins elongated; adipose fin present; 2 pair of long flattened barbels on chin and mouth. |
Similar Species |
The hardhead catfish has 3 pair of round barbels (gafftopsail has 2 pair of flattened barbels), its 1st dorsal and pectoral fin rays are not elongated; the blue catfish, a freshwater catfish that ventures into brackish waters, has 4 pair of barbels. |
Habitat |
Gulf and bay, common around bridges and piers and over hard substrates |
Maximum Size |
69 cm (27 in), common to 50 cm (19 1/2 in) |
Fin Element Counts |
D. I,7; A. 23 (explain) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |
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State size/bag limits |
Minimum size is 14 in.; no bag limit; Check for state record. |