Black Seacatfish Galeichthys ater Eastern Cape Fish Research
Throughout this study this fish species will be called the Black Seacatfish or be called by it's scientific name Galeichthys ater; it is also known as the Black Sea Barbel. Please note that this research is conducted within the research area only. The research area is the Bushman's River Mouth to the Fish River Mouth, and the Bushman's, Kariega and Kasouga Rivers have also been included.
Fish The Sea Record : 0.3 kg's
Description & Identification Of The Black Sea Catfish
As it's name suggests, the Black Seacatfish is a dark coloured fish and can be any colour from a dark brown to almost black. The tail of the Black Seacatfish is not as forked as other Seacatfishes and is more round. The colour underneath this fish is slightly lighter than the colour on it's back, always dark. Often small speckles can be seen on the underbelly of this fish.
Similar Species: The White Seacatfish Galeichthys feliceps.
The Black Seacatfish can easily be confused with the White Seacatfish if certain aspects are overlooked when identifying this fish. The White Seacatfish is duller in appearance, a lighter colour and can be dark brown, but never black in the region. It has a light coloured or white underbelly and often comes in big schools of fish. This species is also frequently encountered in estuaries and shallower water.
Black Seacatfish Galeichthys ater Recordings Before 2012 (Before Research Officially Started)
The tables below show the findings for this fish before the research (Table below) and from when the research officially started (Next table down). All fish in the tables were released, unless specified. The headings for the tables are self explanatory and pictures have been included where possible for the pre-2012 research and every recording has been pictured in the current research. Where there is a NR in the table, this refers to the fact that information was not recorded. Pressure in the second table refers to the Barometric Pressure. Habitat refers to the depth and structure where the fish was caught. The date is when the fish was caught. Bait refers to what bait the fish was caught on. Size is measured in CM - centimeters. To find where the locations and GPS points are where the fish was caught please visit this page.
| Location | Date | Size | Bait | Habitat | Time | Verified | Picture |
| Kariega River Mouth | July 2010 | 25cm | Sardine | 3-4 meters, sandy bottom, close to rocks | Night | Yes |
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Black Seacatfish Galeichthys ater Recordings From 2012 To Present (During Research Period)
| Location | Date | Size | Tagged | Tide | Time | Sea | Pressure | Habitat | Picture |
| The Triangle | April 2012 | 9cm | No | 2 hours before low | 11h00 | Calm, clear, cold | NR | 4-5 meters, sandy bottom, close to rocks and white water |
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Black Seacatfish Galeichthys ater Area Distribution
Learn More about the areas here. Below is a map of the coastline that makes up the 60 kilometer stretch. Markings (The yellow circles) on the map indicate where the Black Seacatfish has been recorded in the area. Below the map you can find out if this fish occurs in any of the rivers or has been recorded in any of the rivers. Please click the map below to enlarge it and see it on a better scale.
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River Occurrence In The Area: The Black Seacatfish has been recorded once close to the Kariega River Mouth indicating that, in fact, it might come close or even venture into estuaries.
Black Seacatfish Galeichthys ater Information, Findings, Observations & Knowledge Gained On The Species
Please read my findings below under the appropriate headings...
Black Seacatfish Habits
habitat depth food etc.
Black Seacatfish Size
Said to reach 45 centimeters, however there has been at least one specimen caught above this length: 48 centimeters.
Other Fish Found With The Black Seacatfish
From the recordings I have found Black Seacatfish occurring inshore in the same areas as Blacktail, White Seacatfish, Lesser Sandshark.
Black Seacatfish Weather Preference
Unknown as yet.
Future Of The Black Seacatfish In The Area
Unknown as yet.
Status Of The Black Seacatfish
More common than one thinks, without a doubt.
It is Said not to be in rivers estuaries and shallow water, however we are starting to disprove this, and it is our goal to prove this 100%.
