Hardhead Catfish

Named after the bony plate on the top of the skull, the hardhead catfish is a medium-sized marine predator or omnivore that sifts along the bottom of the ocean, looking for food. It is often mistaken for the Gafftopsail catfish (though the two species aren’t even members of the same genus). They are very common and plentiful throughout the southeastern United States, but not that popular among recreational or commercial fishers.

2 Incredible Hardhead Catfish Facts!

• The sharp, serrated spines next to the dorsal (topmost) and pectoral (side) fins can not only pierce the skin and draw blood, but the mucus covering the spine also contains a painful toxin. Since fishers sometimes discard them on the beach, you should be careful about stepping on them, because the spines can puncture shoes.
• It’s been speculated that the hardhead catfish may use echolocation to sense its surrounding environment and avoid obstacles. This is because the species emits a low-frequency pulse quite often.

Classification and Scientific Name

The scientific name of the hardhead catfish is Ariopsis felis. The genus of Ariopsis, which contains four living members, may come from the combination of two different Greek words: “ari” means great strength or superior, and “opsis” means appearance. This is a reference to the fish’s strong, hard-headed appearance. Felis is simply the Latin name for a cat.

Appearance

The hardhead catfish is characterized by a long body, forked tail, flattened head with hard bony plates, and, of course, six barbels (whiskers) projecting from the mouth and chin that help it sense its surrounding environment. The upper half of the body is a silvery bluish-green or brown color, while the underside is mostly white. These fish are normally 12 to 16 inches long and weigh 1 to 3 pounds. The largest ever specimen documented was about 27 inches long and weighed just under 10 pounds. Females generally have larger pelvic fins than males.

Distribution, Population, and Habitat

The hardhead catfish can be found near the eastern coast of the United States, within a reasonable distance of the shoreline, sometimes even gathering around the lights of docks. They also travel as far inland as brackish (salty) estuaries and river mouths with sandy bottoms, especially in the spawning season, but they rarely move far enough to reach freshwater. The greatest concentration of catfish appears around the southeastern United States and the Gulf of Mexico.

While population numbers are unknown, it is currently classified as a species of least concern by the IUCN Red List. They are sometimes vulnerable to pollution and large algae blooms, which restrict the amount of oxygen, killing many fish in the area.

Predators and Prey

The hardhead catfish is an omnivore. It sifts along the bottom of the ocean or estuary for food with its whiskers and then picks out whatever morsel it can find. It is not particularly picky about what it eats. These are opportunistic predators.

What eats the hardhead catfish?

The hardhead catfish are preyed upon by larger fish such as sharks and gars. The venomous spine provides a degree of protection against predators. They also like to travel in schools.

What does the hardhead catfish eat?

The diet of the hardhead catfish consists of algae, seagrasses, sea cucumbers, shrimp, crabs, gastropods (like sea snails), and small fish.

Reproduction and Lifespan

The spawning season of the hardhead catfish usually takes place every year between May and September in the shallow waters of estuaries and river mouths, though some may choose to spawn in deeper ocean waters. Females only produce 20 to 65 eggs per spawn, a relatively low number compared to many fish. However, they compensate for this with stronger parental investment.

The male will keep the eggs hidden safely away in his mouth to protect them from predators. Mouth brooding is the technical term for this strategy. Males do not hunt for food when they carry the eggs in their mouths. However, it’s been speculated that they may consume some of the non-viable or unfertilized eggs in the brood.

After about a 30-day gestation period, the larvae will emerge from the eggs. They will remain safe within the father’s mouth until they fully absorb their egg yolks after about two to four weeks. Even after learning to hunt on their own, the juveniles may continue to seek refuge in the father’s mouth for some time afterward. Because of this interesting reproductive strategy, juvenile hardhead catfish have higher survival rates than many other types of fish. The typical lifespan is five to eight years.

Hardhead Catfish in Fishing and Cooking

The hardhead catfish is very plentiful and common all along the southeastern coast of the United States. They are often considered to be a nuisance by fishers because they steal bait intended for other fish. The meat is also not highly regarded by fishers, perhaps because of how difficult it can be to clean it. When this catfish is deliberately sought after, bottom trawling is a common method of fishing for large numbers.

Live bait, including chicken or small fish, also works well for recreational fishing. Just about any medium tackle and spinning reel will work well, but they do put up a strong fight in comparison to their size. Because of the painful sting from the spine, they must be handled with extreme care. The meat tends to have a fishy taste, but the intensity depends on several factors, including the catfish’s diet and oceanic conditions.