| FEEDING HABITS OF CATFISH ON THE NAMIBIAN COAST |
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COMMON NAME: |
Sea Barbel, White Baggar, White Sea Catfish (Afr: Wit Seebarber - Deutsch: Katzen-Kreuzwels, "Katfisch")
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LATIN NAME: |
Galeichthys Feliceps
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DESCRIPTION: |
The white sea-barbel has a deeply forked tail and is brown to grey or greenish brown
above and paler below. It has two barbels on the upper jaw and four on the lower jaw
and can attain 55cm.
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DISTRIBUTION: |
Western and eastern coasts of Africa and on the eastern coast of North America.
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HABITAT: |
Subtropical 41°N to 28°S - demersal, oceanodromous, brackish, marine.
The sea barbel is generally found in large shoals.
On muddy bottoms in turbid waters, usually on the coastline and in estuaries.
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REPRODUCTION: |
Females mature at 24 cm standard length and males at 26cm.
Males mouthbrood the young. The eggs are large (about 15-16mm in diameter) and the average
brood size comprises about 50 eggs. Males carry the eggs and the hatched embryos in its mouth
for a 3-4 month incubation period during which the males do not feed. The may lose up to 24%
of their body weight at this time.
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SEASONAL MOVEMENT: |
Resident.
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FEEDING / DIET: |
Crayfish, shrimps, small crabs and small fish.
Adults feed on crustaceans (mainly crabs), polychaetes, mollusks (including cephalopods) and fish.
Juveniles are primarily scavengers.
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WEIGHT: |
Published 3.8kg (SA Record)
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MAX SIZE: |
55cm TL (avg 20-30cm)
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DEPTH RANGE: |
1-120 metres/
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CAPTURE: |
September to May - day and night (see Best time to catch Catfish).
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ROD: |
11ft - 14ft (14ft with stiff tip is recommended).
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LINE: |
10kg line is recommended.
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HOOK: |
No 3/0 to 6/0 hooks.
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BAIT: |
Anything goes but crayfish is favoured.
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WHERE: |
It is caught in abundance on the Namibian coast in shallow turbid waters near reefs, muddy banks and rocky ledges.
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WHEN: |
Any time.
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WEATHER: |
Any time.
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TIDES: |
The biggest spring tides falling twice each monthly cycle always provide the best of the
action. Try to fish hardest on the tides rising towards the peak spring.
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CAST: |
Cast into shallow turbid water and make sure your bait is hanging on the ground.
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HOW: |
Allow plenty of time for the hook to be set and take your time to reel it in gently.
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NOTES: |
This is an edible fish and when smoked is considered a delicacy.
It is considered a nuisance by most anglers as little else is caught when it starts biting.
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CAUTION: |
The dorsal and pectoral fins each have a sharp serrated spine which is covered in extremely venomous slime.
The smallest stab causes terrible pain, and people have died from the effects.
Extreme care must be taken when handling the live fish; if you are wounded and medical
aid is not readily available, immerse the wounded part immediately in very hot water for at least 30 minutes.
This destroys the venom and will relieve the pain.
A popular believe is that meat tenderiser works wonders with a Barbel sting.
A doctor should be visited.
Please be careful not to leave Barbel heads lying around where people can step on them.
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REGULATIONS: |
RECREATIONAL FISHING REGULATIONS FOR CATFISH:
Bag Limit:
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30 per permit holder per day.
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Min size : |
No restrictions.
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Max size : |
No restrictions.
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Transportation: |
No restrictions.
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Closed season: |
None (Paalties may be closed in the near future).
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Rod & Hooks: |
No more than one fishing rod or hand line per permit holder and no more than 2 hooks per line.
See the regulations on line fishing at the
Ministry of Fisheries.
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Spear fishing: |
By snorkel only.
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Permits: |
Fishing permits cost N$14 for one month or N$168 per year.
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MAX FINES: |
N$ 50 for each catfish above bag limit (more than 30).
N$300 for fishing with more than one rod and/or hand line and/or 2 hooks.
N$300 for not holding or not being able to produce a fishing permit within 21 days.
Refer to the Government Gazette document for latest Marine Regulations (pdf).
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