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Bayad Catfish
Photo: Boulenger, George Albert; Loat, L. · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
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Bayad Catfish

البياض

Bayad

Intermediate✓ CommonBagridae

Bayad (Bagrus bajad / Bagrus docmak) is a large predatory Nile catfish, smooth-skinned with long barbels, found in the Nile and Lake Nasser. A serious bottom-fishing target that grows to over a metre and is well regarded at Egyptian fish markets.

Local names · what anglers actually call it

البياضBayad

Bagrus catfish, Lake Nasser fishers' name

source: WorldFish Lake Nasser report

Size

40–130 cm

Depth

1–40 m

Record weight

up to 50 kg

Habitat

Nile, Lake Nasser, deep river channels

Best seasons

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Fishing techniques

Bottom fishing

Baits & lures

Dead fishLiverWormsOffal

Did you know?

Bayad are ambush predators that hunt smaller fish at night, using their long sensitive barbels to find prey in murky Nile water.