Overview
Despite the common names, black bullhead (Ameiurus melas), brown bullhead (A. nebulosus), and yellow bullhead (A. natalis), color is not the best way to identify these fish. The “black” bullhead may be dark green, olive, brown, yellowish green, or black on top, green or gold on the sides, and white or bright yellow below. Spawning males are jet black, as are the very young (the young of brown and yellow bullheads are also usually black). The easiest way to distinguish this fish from the brown or yellow bullheads is by the pectoral fins. In the brown and yellow bullheads, the rear edge of the pectoral fin spine is serrated with numerous sharp tooth like projections. Also, the black bullhead has dark colored chin barbels which may be gray, black, or black spotted, and its body and head are deeper and more massive than in the brown and yellow bullheads. The tail fin is squarish (truncate) or slightly emarginate, which will readily distinguish the black bullhead from the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), the white catfish (Ameiurus catus), and the blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), all of which have deeply forked tails.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Perciformes
- Family
- Ictaluridae
- Genus
- Ameiurus
- Species
- melas
Habitat
Black bullheads are found throughout the central United States, often in stagnant or slow-moving waters with soft bottoms. They have been known to congregate in confined spaces, such as lake outlets or under dams. They are very tolerant fish, and are able to live in muddy water, with warmer temperatures and in water with lower levels of oxygen, which reduce competition from other fish.
Diet
Black bullheads are omnivorous, feeding primarily from the bottom on a wide range of plant and animal material, both live and dead. Fingerlings feed almost exclusively on crustaceans. Immature aquatic insects and crustaceans often comprise a considerable proportion of the adult diet.
Behavior
During late spring or early summer black bullheads excavate nests in mud bottoms and spawn. Areas with some sort of cover are preferred. Nests contain golden-yellow egg masses which are guarded by both parents (at least one is present at all times). Eggs hatch in four to six days. Fry begin to school in compact balls which are guarded by adults until individuals reach about one inch in length.
Fishing
It is an extremely popular sport fish that, like the bluegill, is often stocked in farm ponds. A variety of baits may be used to catch them, but worms are usually the best. It is considered excellent as a food fish.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern by IUCN.