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(Click for large pic. 78Kb)
The Sea Catfishes are a group whose edible qualities have been largely understated; also, they offer good sport on light tackle. Manny of them utter characteristic hoarse grunts or croaks on capture.
The pectoral and dorsal spines are strong and serrated; they are not poisonous. but can deliver unpleasant wounds. They are known as Catfish front the array of fleshy "whiskers" about the mouth ; these are sensory in function, and (contrary to some popular belief are quite harmless. The eggs are bright yellow in colour and are quite large: the male carries them in his mouth for the period of incubation.
The Blue Catfish Neoarius austialis (Gunther) is very common in estuaries and rivers. ascending above the tidal limit into freshwaters. This Catfish is purple blue above. with greenish reflections; these colours fade to a dark blue grey after death. The fins have a distinctly pinkish sheen. It grows to 690 mm (27.5 inches) and a weight of 3.9kg(8.5 lb.) and is a very palatable white fleshed table fish; fillets should be skinned before cooking. The dorsal spine of the Blue Catfish is shorter and weaker than the pectoral spines good diagnostic character.
The Salmon Catfish Netuma thalassina (Ruppell) (No photograph) is the giant of the group, reaching a length of rather more than 900 mm (3 feet). It is found in estuaries and the open sea of the northern coastline. occasional stragglers being taken as far south as Moreton Bay (S. Qd.), It is basically a silvery fish. greyish brown to reddish brown above; the adipose fin carries a dark blotch. It too is excellent eating when skinned. It can be distinguished from the Blue Catfish in that the fin spines are of equal length.
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