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Catfish (Bagre bagre) — Ariidae

Catfish

Bagre bagre
Family: Ariidae
LC · Least Concern

The Catfish (Bagre bagre) is a brackish-water fish of the family Ariidae that grows up to 55 cm.

Length
55 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0–50.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Can cause injury
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The coco sea catfish (Bagre bagre) is a sea catfish of the family Ariidae from the western Atlantic. The species has an elongate, greyish body with very long, thread-like extensions on the dorsal and pectoral fins and barbels around the mouth, and reaches about 55 cm. It is mainly marine and common around river mouths, where it also enters estuaries. The diet consists of small fishes and invertebrates such as crustaceans. The dorsal and pectoral fins bear a serrated, erectile venomous spine. The species is marketed fresh; like related sea catfishes the male broods the eggs in its mouth.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Catfish?

The Catfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Catfish live?

The Catfish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Catfish get?

The Catfish grows to a maximum of about 55 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Catfish dangerous to humans?

The Catfish can cause injury; handle it with care.

Is the Catfish edible?

Yes, the Catfish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Koperzuiger sourced
English name
Catfish verified
Scientific name
Bagre bagre
Family
Ariidae
Other names
Coco sea catfish; Gafftopsail; Sea catfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
55.0 verified
Average length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Can cause injury sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Bagre

More from the family Ariidae

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