Saltwater species guide
Hardhead catfish
Ariopsis felis
Identification
A brownish or gray-green sea catfish with four chin barbels. Its sharp dorsal and pectoral spines lack the long filaments of gafftopsail catfish.
Habitat & biology
Uses coastal and brackish waters, including passes and inland waterways. Males incubate eggs in their mouths. The three prominent fin spines can injure handlers.
FWC identification & biology ↗Bay references & eating guidance
These waters have documented catches. That does not make each one a regular target fishery.
Galveston Bay
Hardhead catfish
Ariopsis felisNo length limit listed · No limit daily
Other catch · identification→
Matagorda Bay
Hardhead catfish
Ariopsis felisNo length limit listed · No limit daily
Other catch · identification→
San Antonio Bay
Hardhead catfish
Ariopsis felisNo length limit listed · No limit daily
Other catch · identification→
Corpus Christi Bay
Hardhead catfish
Ariopsis felisNo length limit listed · No limit daily
Other catch · identification→
Upper Laguna Madre
Hardhead catfish
Ariopsis felisNo length limit listed · No limit daily
Other catch · identification→
Lower Laguna Madre
Hardhead catfish
Ariopsis felisNo length limit listed · No limit daily
Other catch · identification→