Everything about Bullhead Catfish totally explained
Bullhead catfish usually refers to the three common types of bullhead catfish found in waters of the
United States, the
black bullhead (
Ameiurus melas), the
brown bullhead (
Ameiurus nebulosus), and the
yellow bullhead (
Ameiurus natalis), members of the genus
Ameiurus. They can distinguished from
channel catfish and
blue catfish in that their tailfins are squared, rather than forked. Other fishes of the genus
Ameiurus, such as the
white catfish (
Ameiurus catus) have a somewhat forked tail and are not typically called "bullheads", even though they share the same genus.
Taxonomy and fossil record
Ameiurus is recognized as
monophyletic, meaning it forms a natural group. It is mostly closely related to the
clade formed by
Noturus,
Prietella,
Satan, and
Pylodictis. The oldest,
Ameiurus pectinatus, gives a minimum age estimate for the genus at approximately 30 million years, during the
Oligocene.
There is a
sister group relationship between the species
A. melas and
A. nebulosus.
Description and identification
Bullheads don't get as large as the other US native catfishes, with averages sizes in the 1 to 2 pound range and world record sizes well under 10 pounds.
All three major bullheads can be confused with other catfishes by novice anglers. Because they've a non-forked tail, many people mistakenly think that small flathead catfish are bullheads. Both have the squared tail, and can have a mottled, brown appearance (in the case of the brown bullhead) but the flathead has a lower lip that protrudes farther than its upper lip and a flat or "shovel" head. They also have very different habits and habitat.
Flatheads generally eat only live things, while bullheads will freely eat dead fish or other small animals. The flathead is more likely to be found at the bottom of dams or in gravel pits, while bullheads are found more often in the most brackish areas. Additionally, flatheads can reach weights well in excess of 100 pounds, while the current world's record for any bullhead is a Black Bullhead, recorded at 8 lb even (3.63 kg), while the average adult is perhaps 2 pounds. Brown and yellow bullheads are significantly smaller.
Relationship to humans
They are considered
rough fish by many, and are seldom caught for food, although they can be quite edible if caught in clear water and prepared correctly. In Minnesota, bullhead are important to commercial fishermen, who harvest about 1 million pounds a year.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Bullhead Catfish'.
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