Gafftopsail Catfish

Coastal Habitats

Bay Animals

Gafftopsail Catfish

Bagre marinus

Gafftopsail catfish were named for the tall fin that rises from their back like a sail.

Look closely and you can see the sharp spines that support the dorsal, or back, fin and the pectoral fins on the fish's sides. These spines are not only sharp, they're coated with toxic slime, too.

Select a coastal habitat:

Salt Marshes
Bays and Estuaries
Jetties
Nearshore Waters
Gulf Waters