Fish
Fish
Gafftopsail Catfish
Bagre marinus
The Gafftopsail Catfish is a common estuarine fish of Trinidad's coastal waters, named for its tall, sail-like dorsal fin, and notable as a mouthbrooder in which the male carries the developing eggs in his mouth until they hatch.
The Gafftopsail Catfish is a common estuarine fish of Trinidad's coastal waters, named for its tall, sail-like dorsal fin, and notable as a mouthbrooder in which the male carries the developing eggs in his mouth until they hatch.
Identification
A moderately large catfish around 40 to 60 cm long, with a bluish-grey to silvery body, a distinctly tall, elongated dorsal fin spine trailing a filament resembling a ship's gaff-rigged sail, and long, prominent barbels around the mouth used to detect prey in murky water.
Behaviour
Forages over sandy and muddy bottoms in estuaries and coastal waters for fish, crustaceans, and molluscs, mainly at night, using its sensitive barbels to locate prey in low-visibility water. Uniquely among many local fish, the male is a mouthbrooder, holding fertilised eggs and, for a time, newly hatched young in his mouth for protection until they are able to fend for themselves.
Status in T&T
Common in estuaries and coastal waters around Trinidad, taken as a food fish in artisanal fisheries. Not considered threatened.
