Fish
Sea Barbel
Galeichthys feliceps
A whiskered sea catfish of sandy inshore ground, armed with venomous fin spines - the 'barbel' of these spot notes.
Also known as barbel, sea catfish, white sea catfish
- Typical size
- Commonly 30-45 cm
- Habitat
- Sandy inshore flats, harbours, estuaries
- Depth
- Shallows to ~120 m
The sea barbel, or white sea catfish, is a slate-grey sea catfish with long sensory barbels around the mouth. It works sandy and muddy inshore ground, often near river mouths and harbours, snuffling out worms, crabs and small fish.
It carries strong serrated spines in the dorsal and pectoral fins that can inflict a painful, venomous wound, so it is handled with respect. It often moves in loose shoals over the flats between reefs.