Florida Saltwater Catfish Species

The common name hardhead catfish is derived from the presence of a hard bony plate extending rearward toward the dorsal fin from a line between the catfish s eyes.

Florida saltwater catfish species. Both are in fact edible and both are largely despised by fisherman for stealing bait and getting slime all over everything including your fishing reels. They are full water column feeders and after eviserating and studying stomach contents of hundreds of both species and this is verified by a expert with the state of florida over 95 had crab chitin in their stomachs shrimp parts were the next most commonly found part of. All life list catches are eligible as long as they can be documented and have been caught in accordance with fwc rules. The many ledges and bars flats within the main body of the reservoir provide areas for boat anglers to focus efforts for channel catfish.

It is venomous and can lead to a serious infection. The hardhead catfish ariopsis felis is a species of sea catfish from the northwest atlantic and gulf of mexico and similar to the gafftopsail catfish bagre marinus it is one of four species in the genus ariopsis. Salt water notes african jewelfish. The florida saltwater fish life list consists of 70 species of saltwater fish.

Medard reservoir was drawn down during the fall of 2009 by the southwest florida water management district to make necessary repairs on the dam and structure. The images provided below can be a good general reference for saltwater fish identification. Neither species of saltwater catfish are bottom feeders. This section of space coast florida displays some of the great diversity of saltwater fish that florida has to offer the local angler.

Both species have poisonous barbed spines in their dorsal top and pectoral side fins. Largest exclusively freshwater fish found in north america measuring 8 to 10 feet. The sting of a catfish whether a florida saltwater catfish or one of many other species is something you do not want to ignore. Pursuant to section 120 74 florida statutes the fish and wildlife conservation commission has published its 2019 agency regulatory plan 2019 agency regulatory plan.

The sting from this fish is a problem for anglers who catch either the common florida saltwater catfish or the sea catfish sometimes called the hardhead or the gafftopsail catfish. To participate an angler must abide by the general fwc saltwater angler recognition program rules see general angling rules. There are also links provided for each fish species which will provide additional helpful information.