A small catfish; common in ponds. Among the most adaptable native catfish.

Also called: Brown Catfish, Mud Pout, Common Bullhead

Native status: Native to eastern North America

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 20–35 cm; record 56 cm
Weight200–700 g; record 2.9 kg
LifespanWild 6–12 years
OrderSiluriformes
FamilyIctaluridae

§ Encyclopedia

The brown bullhead is a fish of the family Ictaluridae that is widely distributed in North America. It is a species of bullhead catfish and is similar to the black bullhead and yellow bullhead. It was originally described as Pimelodus nebulosus by Charles Alexandre Lesueur in 1819, and is also referred to as Ictalurus nebulosus.

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

§ Identification

Field marks. Small catfish with dark brown to olive back, lighter belly; rounded tail (NOT deeply forked); square-tipped anal fin; eight prominent barbels around the mouth.

Similar species. Black Bullhead (darker; range overlap; very similar). Yellow Bullhead (yellow chin barbels). Channel Catfish (much larger; deeply forked tail).

Voice. Some species in genus can produce sound by stridulation of pectoral spines.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Omnivorous bottom-feeder: insects, snails, leeches, small fish, fish eggs, plant matter.

Behavior. Common small catfish of eastern North American ponds, lakes, and slow streams. Tolerates extremely low oxygen levels — can survive winter under ice in shallow ponds by entering a state of partial dormancy. Among the few US fish known to provide parental care: adults guard schooling juveniles ("brown bullhead schools") through the first weeks of life, defending against predators. Easily caught on cut bait; common starter fish for young anglers.

§ Range

Eastern and central US

§ Habitat

Lakes, ponds, slow streams

§ Threats

Habitat loss, pollution.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the brown 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