Fish Identification Photos: Chili Sea Catfish, Notarius troschelii. The Chili Sea Catfish has an overall silvery appearance, a darker brassy sheen on top, silver on the sides, and white on the belly. The Chilhuil Sea Catfish is identified by its two sets of barbels, one set on the chin, and one set on top of the lip that is longer and ribbon-like, but does not reach the pelvic fins.

The Chili Sea Catfish has a deeply forked caudal fin. It is easily confused with other species of sea catfishes and most likely with the Chilhuil Sea Catfish, Bagre panamensis (robust body and two pairs of barbells, but with the top pair of barbells reaching the pelvic fins).

The Chili Sea Catfish is a member of the Ariidae Family of catfishes which occur in all tropical and subtropical seas. The Ariidae are characterized by long whiskers or barbels around the mouth, and by their deeply forked tails. They have a large, stiff, venomous spine at the front of the first dorsal and pectoral fins, a small skin flap for a second dorsal fin, and a complete lateral line.

In Mexican waters, the Chili Sea Catfish is found along the Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula, throughout the Sea of Cortez, and along the coast of the mainland to Guatemala, and it also appears to be found around the oceanic islands.

The Chili Sea Catfish grows to a length of just under 2 feet. It is generally found over sand and mud bottoms in the first 75 feet of the water column. It feeds on small fishes and a variety of benthic invertebrates including shrimps, crabs, and mollusks. The Chili Sea Catfish is viewed as good table fare and is sold commercially.

Caution: care must be taken to avoid being gaffed by the venomous spines found at the front of the first dorsal and pectoral fins.

Chili Sea Catfish, Notarius troschelii: Caught from shore, midday, in April 2002, in 74-degree water, in the “suds,” utilizing 15-pound test line, with a two dropper loop rig, no swivels, 1.5-ounce bank sinker, and Mustad 92553 hooks, size #4, on cut squid, at the commercial beach in Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size approximately 10 inches and 1 pound, and it gave a medium fight. A catch-and-release. Photo courtesy Carol Snow. Chili Sea Catfish, Notarius troschelii: Length, 18 inches. Caught October 1997, at La Ribera, East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico, 12-pound line, cut bait. Caught from the beach by Dutch angler, Peter Langstraat: "Among all the Baja fish I've caught until now, there have been at least a few fish of any species that made clear short sounds while removing the hook, most notably croakers, triggerfish and jacks. On this matter, the Chili Sea Catfish does it differently. Occasionaly, it will WHISPER a story (probably its life story) in your ear. It can last up to three minutes without pausing. Especially when the wind blows a bit, it is like someone is standing behind you and talking just a little bit too soft. Apart from this, it is a nice little fighter but lacks charisma because it doesn't grow very big and is not particularly beautiful. Nevertheless, if you want them, look for cloudy water." Photo courtesy Peter Langstraat. Chili Sea Catfish, Notarius troschelii: Caught by Ton Van Dalen, Punta Colorada, Baja California Sur, Mexico, October 1998, on cut bait and 12-pound line, from a panga. Length, 18 inches. Photo courtesy Peter Langstraat.