Black bullhead

Black bullhead

Taxobox
name = Black bullhead



image_width = 250px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Actinopterygii
ordo = Siluriformes
familia = Ictaluridae
genus = "Ameiurus"
species = "A. melas"
binomial = "Ameiurus melas"
binomial_authority =Rafinesque, 1820

The black bullhead, "Ameiurus melas", is a species of bullhead catfish. Like other bullhead catfish, they have the ability to thrive in waters that are low in oxygen, brackish, turbid and/or very warm. [ [http://fwp.mt.gov/fieldguide/detail_AFCKA06030.aspx Black Bullhead Detailed Information - Montana Animal Field Guide ] ] . Like virtually all catfish, they are nocturnal, preferring to feed at night, although young will feed during the day. They are omnivorous and eat almost anything from grains, insects, dead or living fish and crustaceans. They generally do not get as large as the channel or blue catfish, with average adult weights in the 1 to 2 pound range, and almost never as large as 5 pounds.

Like most of the bullheads (and even the cousin flathead catfish) it has a squared tail fin, which is strikingly different than the forked tail of channel and blue catfish. Their color will depend on the area they are taken from, but are generally darker than brown or yellow bullheads. They can be distinguished from flatheads in that their lower lip does not protrude past the upper lip. Distinguishing from the brown bullhead is a bit more difficult, depending on the area they are caught from, but a distinguishing detail between the two include a nearly smooth pectoral spine on the black bullhead with the brown being strongly barbed. The anal fin also has a gray base, and the tail also has a pale bar.

Angling

They are considered rough fish and are seldom caught for sport. The flesh of the black bullhead is pale in coloration,and has a good flavor, but it may be soft in summer. The black bullhead is one of several catfish informally referred to as mud catfish. They are not caught often, and usually it is by accident. They have been introduced in many areas of the US because of their ability to survive (and even thrive) in less than ideal conditions, but they are seldom used in active stocking programs due to their relatively low desirability.

Black bullhead can be caught using similar techniques as Channel or Blue catfish, although their small size may require smaller bait and hooks. Cut bait, "stink" baits, small crayfish, worms and leeches can be used to catch these fish. Like most catfish, they are most active during the night and tend to be less active and bed under piers or in shady shore areas during the day.

References

External links

*
*

ee also

* Bullhead catfish (general)
* Catfish


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  • black bullhead — juodoji katžuvė statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Ictalurus melas angl. black bullhead; black catfish; yellow bellied bullhead rus. чёрный сомик ryšiai: platesnis terminas – amerikinės katžuvės …   Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas

  • black bullhead — noun : a small dusky greenish brown to black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) having a flattened head and plump body and being widely distributed chiefly in sluggish waters in much of temperate No. America called also horned pout * * * a common… …   Useful english dictionary

  • black bullhead — a common freshwater catfish, Ictalurus melas, of North America, considered by some to be a food delicacy. * * * …   Universalium

  • Bullhead — may mean:* Kinds of fish, including: ** Certain sculpins, including: *** European bullhead, Cottus gobio *** Siberian bullhead, Cottus poecilopus *** Norway bullhead, Taurulus Liljeborgi ** Bullhead catfish, genus Ameiurus , including: *** Black… …   Wikipedia

  • Bullhead catfish — Taxobox name = Bullhead catfish fossil range = Oligocene Recent image width = 240px image caption = Ameiurus nebulosus regnum = Animalia phylum = Chordata classis = Actinopterygii ordo = Siluriformes familia = Ictaluridae genus = Ameiurus genus… …   Wikipedia

  • bullhead — /bool hed /, n. 1. any of several North American, freshwater catfishes of the genus Ictalurus, having a rounded or truncate caudal fin. 2. any of several other fishes, as the freshwater sculpins of the genus Cottus, esp. those species having a… …   Universalium

  • black catfish — juodoji katžuvė statusas T sritis zoologija | vardynas taksono rangas rūšis atitikmenys: lot. Ictalurus melas angl. black bullhead; black catfish; yellow bellied bullhead rus. чёрный сомик ryšiai: platesnis terminas – amerikinės katžuvės …   Žuvų pavadinimų žodynas

  • bullhead — noun /ˈbʌlˌhɛd/ a) any of a variety of related species of generally dark colored catfish in the family Ictaluridae. b) The black bullhead, Ameiurus melas. Syn: mudcat …   Wiktionary

  • Bullhead — Bull head , n. 1. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) A fresh water fish of many species, of the genus {Uranidea}, esp. {Uranidea gobio} of Europe, and {Uranidea Richardsoni} of the United States; called also {miller s thumb}. (b) In America, several species of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Bullhead whiting — Bullhead Bull head , n. 1. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) A fresh water fish of many species, of the genus {Uranidea}, esp. {Uranidea gobio} of Europe, and {Uranidea Richardsoni} of the United States; called also {miller s thumb}. (b) In America, several species …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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