The Whiskers are Innocent!

I often write about the fish that are in the Bayou and adjoining Back Bay area and for some reason these fish are always presenting me with new fodder for discussion.  Often I have told how we will use the "trash" fish such as the Hardhead Catfish as crab bait since they are more or less inedible.  (Michael would disagree with me and tell me that everything is edible..some things we just choose not to eat because they are either poisonous or just plain do not taste good.  I suppose he is right but still...I do not plan on eating a Hardhead Catfish any time soon!)  Those same Hardhead Catfish are armed to the gills with sharp spines in their dorsal and pectoral fins.  It is these spines (which are more like spikes!) that will do major damage to anything that comes in contact with them!  They are quite sharp and loaded with a bit of slime that is mildly poisonous.  These spines are what do the damage contrary to what a good many folks obviously believe.  I have been told so many times in the past few weeks that it is the catfish's "whiskers" that are "stingers"!  Where do folks get this stuff?  These are usually the same folks that try to stomp on the catfish to kill it before removing the thing from the hook.  They use all caution to avoid those dreaded barbels under the chin all the while not thinking that the fins are a lot like serrated knives!  Unless you are wearing some impenetrable boots, do NOT step on a Hardhead Catfish!  Personally, I would not even step on one if I thought my boots were remarkably tough!  I have been nicked enough by the spines to know that a full-fledged gouge could spell major trouble and often a trip to the emergency room at the local hospital.  You see, those spines are barbed.  Once the pointy end stabs into the flesh, it is not a wise move to try to yank it back out as the barbs will shred the flesh.  As the flesh is shredded, all of that poisonous slime oozes into the small slices and starts its job of inducing more pain.  Not to mention there is about a billion different bacteria floating around in the water that are just waiting to find a body to invade!  So you see, it is highly important to be extremely careful when handling these catfish and it is just as important to realize that those whiskers are not the pain inflicting part of the fish!

These are spines that are in the dorsal and pectoral fins of Hardhead Catfish!  

The barbed fins are not there just to irritate us to no end!  In fact, they are merely there for the fishes protection.  When the fish feels threatened or agitated, the fins become weapons of defense.  Once the fish is threatened, the dorsal fin becomes erect.  This action in itself can keep the fish from being swallowed or bitten but add that stabbing. poisonous barb into the mix and the protection is magnificent!  Gars, sharks, cobia are few of the predators that will eat the Hardhead Catfish. Can you imagine a big, ole gar trying to chomp down on the lowly catfish and poking that fin right through the top of its jaw? Owww!  I think the gar would definitely think twice about eating another!

A nearly three inch long spine from the fine of a Hardhead Catfish.  Look closely and you can see the barbs that  can tear your skin and cause a dangerous puncture wound!

About those whiskers hurting you..nah..they might tickle but it is the spines that can inflict the horrible wounds!  The whiskers or barbels do play an important role in the survival of the catfish, however, as they help the fish find food.  The whiskers are loaded with sensors sort of like tastebuds that can "taste" food even in murky waters.  Without them, the fish would likely often go hungry in areas where the water is muddied by the constant churning of the tide.  This said, it would be prudent to remember that it is not the whiskers that are poisonous nor do they harm you..it is those spines..those sharp, barbed, toxic-slime-coated spines!  Be careful!!!