A small dark catfish common in central US waters.

Also called: Common Bullhead, Black Catfish

Native status: Native to central US

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 18–38 cm; record 60 cm
Weight200–900 g; record 3.6 kg
LifespanWild 5–10 years
OrderSiluriformes
FamilyIctaluridae

§ Encyclopedia

The black bullhead or black bullhead catfish is a species of bullhead catfish. Like other bullhead catfish, it has the ability to thrive in waters that are low in oxygen, brackish, turbid, and/or very warm. It also has barbels located near its mouth, a broad head, spiny fins, and no scales. It can be identified from other bullheads as the barbels are black, and it has a tan crescent around the tail. Its caudal fin is truncated. Like virtually all catfish, it is nocturnal, preferring to feed at night, although young feed during the day. It generally does not get as large as the channel or blue catfish, with average adult weights are in the 1-to-2-pound range, and almost never as large as 4 pounds (1.8 kg). It has a typical length of 6–14 inches (15–36 cm), with the largest specimen being 24 inches (61 cm), making it the largest of the bullheads. It is typically black or dark brown on the dorsal side of its body and yellow or white on the ventral side.

Source: Wikipedia — Black bullhead Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Stocky black to dark olive catfish; pale belly; eight prominent barbels; rounded tail; square anal fin.

Similar species. Brown Bullhead (lighter; range overlap). Yellow Bullhead (yellow chin barbels).

Voice. Can stridulate pectoral spines.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Omnivorous bottom-feeder: insects, snails, crayfish, small fish, plant matter, carrion.

Behavior. Most pollution-tolerant of US bullhead species — survives in lakes and ponds where other fish die. Tolerates extreme low oxygen by surfacing to gulp air. Adults school during the day; juveniles form tight balls. Often the only fish remaining in degraded waters; can serve as biological indicator of stressed systems.

§ Range

Central US

§ Habitat

Lakes, ponds, slow streams

§ Threats

Habitat degradation, pollution.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the black bullhead is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support clean water laws.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • American Fisheries Society
  • State wildlife agencies
  • IUCN Red List 2013