Fin's Fish Guide
The Barber (Galeichthys feliceps) is a brackish-water fish of the family Ariidae that grows up to 55 cm.
Coastal waters around southern Africa; muddy coast, estuaries and rivers.
Description
The white seacatfish is a sea catfish (Ariidae) from the coastal waters around southern Africa. The species has a streamlined, greyish body with a high dorsal fin, barbels and an adipose fin. It usually lives in large shoals on mud bottoms of turbid coastal and estuarine waters and also enters rivers. As an omnivore it searches the bottom with its barbels for crustaceans, molluscs, worms and small fishes. The male incubates the large eggs in its mouth. The pectoral and dorsal fin spines are venomous and give a painful puncture wound.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Barber?
The Barber has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Schooling sea catfish; the male broods the eggs in its mouth; venomous pectoral and dorsal fin spines.
Where does the Barber live?
The Barber lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Coastal waters around southern Africa; muddy coast, estuaries and rivers.
How big does the Barber get?
The Barber grows to a maximum of about 55 cm. On average the species is around 35 cm.
Is the Barber dangerous to humans?
The Barber is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. The fin spines are venomous and give a painful, burning puncture wound. Immerse the wound for 30-90 minutes in water as hot as can be tolerated (about 45 C) and seek medical care if pain or infection persists.
Is the Barber edible?
Yes, the Barber is commonly eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Galeichthys
More from the family Ariidae
Want the complete picture on the Barber?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Barber is one of 12,519 species in the app.