Chilhuil sea catfish (Bagre panamensis), also called the Chihuil,[1] is a species of sea catfish in the family Ariidae. It was described by Theodore Gill in 1863, originally under the genus Aelurichthys.[2] It inhabits subtropical marine and brackish waters in the eastern Pacific region, including California, USA; Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Mexico.[3] It dwells at a depth range of 3to, most often between 10and. It reaches a maximum total length of 51cm (20inches).
The Chilhuil sea catfish is of important commercial value to fisheries, and is sold fresh. It has been consumed since pre-Columbian times.[3] Due to its wide distribution in the eastern Pacific, as well as a lack of known threats or observed population decline, the IUCN redlist currently lists the species as Least Concern. It notes that the species' range partially includes areas under marine protection.[3]