Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Gulf of Mexico). Sea Catfish and Gafftopsail Catfish

摘要

Species profiles are literature summaries of the taxonomy, morphology, range, life history, and environmental requirements of coastal aquatic species. They are designed to assist in environmental impact assessment. Sea catfish and gafftopsail catfish are not preferred sport nor commercial fish; however, their high abundance inshore along the northern Gulf of Mexico causes them to rank 2nd or 3rd and no lower than 13th of all saltwater finfish in angler surveys. Sea catfish comprised less than 2% in industrial bottom trawl fisheries although surveys in depths to 20 m revealed they comprised 2% to 36%, by weight, of the bottom fishes. Sea catfish attain sexual maturity before 2 years of age, and spawn from May to August in shallow bays. Adult males do not feed for 60 to 80 days while carrying fertilized eggs and sac-fry in their mouths. Juveniles remain in low-salinity estuaries until decreasing water temperatures cause movements into deeper channels and offshore waters.