Ariopsis felis
(Linnaeus 1766)
Family Ariidae

Lateral view of a hardhead catfish
The hardhead catfish in the photo above was collected in St. John’s County, Florida in 2014. It is now part of the Florida Museum ichthyology collection, UF 237634. Florida Museum photo by Zachary Randall

The hardhead catfish is a member of the sea catfish family. It has two pairs of mental barbels, a subterminal mouth and a moderate snout. This species is a marine species that enters turbid rivers, creeks, sloughs and lakes.

Status & distribution

  • Status — Marine invader
  • Florida Distribution — Western and North Central drainages, the Gulf Coast, South Florida and the Atlantic Coast
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Similar Species

Gafftopsail Catfish