Top Tete Sea Catfish Fishing Countries

The Tete sea catfish (Ariopsis seemanni), also known as the Colombian shark catfish or silver tipped shark, is a euryhaline species native to the Pacific coastal waters and estuaries of Central and South America, particularly from Mexico to Peru. Characterized by its sleek, silver body and distinctive forked tail, this catfish is both a popular aquarium species and a target for commercial and artisanal fisheries. The primary countries engaged in harvesting the Tete sea catfish are Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, where it is caught mainly in estuarine and nearshore environments using gillnets and trawls. The fish is valued for its firm, white flesh and is sold fresh or processed locally, contributing to the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities. While not as heavily exploited as some other catfish species, sustainable management is important to maintain healthy populations in the face of increasing fishing pressure in these regions.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.