Saltwater Catfish

Alternative Names: Gafftopsail, hardhead

Monterey Bay Recommendation: No recommendation. These are abundant and not commercially harvested.

Uses in Cooking: This fish has tough connective tissues that need to break down. It is rarely eaten. I recommend a crispy deep fry or using in a fish stew.

Similar Fish: Grouper, Catfish, Sturgeon

Description: This is considered a trash fish and people often have strong opinions about them without every having eaten one. I find the meat to me just as good as farmed catfish if cooked long enough to break down the collagen in the meat.

Fun Facts: L The long spine on the top of the gafftopsail catfish is venomous and will cause a painful sting and swelling. The gafftopsail and the hardhead are two fish often confused for one another. The hardhead is more highly regarded than the gafftopsail.