Description Hardhead catfish have six rounded barbels that stick out from their chins like whiskers These barbels help the catfish find crabs, fish and shrimp in the muddy bays where they live The dorsal and pectoral fins each are supported by a sharp, slimecovered barbed spine The dorsal spine normally is held erect when the fish is excited and a tennis shoe or even a leatherThe Hardhead Catfish ranges from Massachusetts to southern Mexico and is common over muddy or sandy bottoms of bays and shallow coastal waters Spawning occurs in back bays during the spring and summer months Like many species of catfish, the hardhead is a mouth brooder The male retains the fertilized eggs in his mouth until hatching occurs Others get small gafftops and hardheads confused but there are key differences in appearance The main one is the gafftop has a large, unique sail like top fin whereas a hardhead basically looks like a freshwater cat More importantly, anglers can only keep gafftops measuring 14 inches or larger
Be Careful With Salt Catfish Texas Fish Game Magazine
Hard head fish chesapeake bay