An Official Saltwater Fish for Texas - What Should it Be?

The Texas legislature is considering which fish to use as the new symbol for Texas Marine Fisheries. Arguments put the redfish, seatrout, and even the tarpon at the head of the list, for a variety of very good reasons. Columnist Shannon Tompkins from the Houston Chronicle has an idea for a compromise should the voting end in a deadlock. She suggests the saltwater catfish (hardhead) for some very good reasons of its own:

• "Hardheads share a lot of Texans’ best attributes: abundant and gregarious; able to survive, even thrive, under the worst conditions; willing to eat almost anything; great parents (the male carries fertilized eggs in his mouth to protect them); the epitome of persistence; tough as nails and near impossible to kill; and anyone who handles them roughly pays a painful physical price."

So, what's your take? Which fish should represent the Texas Marine Fisheries folks? Any comments? You can vote for one in our straw poll here.