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Black Bullhead
Black Bullhead,  Ameiurus melas

 
Physical Description: 
�	Robust body, compressed posteriorly
�	Chin barbels dark
�	Sharp dorsal and pectoral spines
�	Depressed head, slightly inferior mouth
�	Tail fin not forked
�	Rounded anal fin
�	Gray, brown, or black body, mottled coloring on the body 
�	Fins brown or black

Similar species: 
�	Brown Bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus)
�	White catfish (Ameiurus catus)
�	Flat bullhead (Ameiurus platycephalus)
�	Snail bullhead (Ameiurus brunneus)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 140-300 mm standard length 

Habitat:
�	Warm backwaters, pools, creeks, streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs
�	Tolerates high temperature, high turbidity, and low oxygen

Distribution in VA:
�	Native to the Big Sandy
�	Introduced into the New and Roanoke drainages, and North Fork Holston River

Food Habits:  
�	Microcrustaceans, plants, invertebrates, and fish

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Mature at age 2 or 3
�	Spawning probably occurs in late May and June at 21-30�C
�	Spawn over sand in backwaters
�	Fecundity is 2,550-3,850 eggs per female
�	Hybridizes naturally with brown bullhead

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	Hard to distinguish from the brown bullhead (A. nebulosus)
�	Good to eat, but rarely caught

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.
If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service):

VAFWIS
Black Bullhead
Black Bullhead
Blue Catfish
Blue Catfish
Brown Bullhead
Brown Bullhead
Channel Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flat Bullhead
Flat Bullhead
Flathead Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Margined Madtom
Margined Madtom
Mountain Madtom
Mountain Madtom
Orangefin Madtom
Orangefin Madtom
Stonecat
Stonecat
Tadpole Madtom
Tadpole Madtom
White Catfish
White Catfish
Yellow Bullhead
Yellow Bullhead
Yellowfin Madtom
Yellowfin Madtom
Continue Browsing Families.....
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  2. Polyodontidae, Paddlefish
  3. Acipenseridae, Sturgeons
  4. Lepisosteidae, Gars
  5. Amiidae, Bowfins
  6. Anguillidae, Freshwater Eels
  7. Amblyopsidae, Cavefishes
  8. Ictaluridae, Catfish
  9. Percopsidae, Trout-Perches
  10. Salmonidae, Trouts
  11. Clupeidae, Herrings
  12. Esocidae, Pikes
  13. Aphredoderidae, Pirate Perches
  14. Umbridae, Mudminnows
  15. Fundulidae, Killifishes
  16. Poeciliidae, Livebearers
  17. Cyprinidae, Minnows
  18. Catostomidae, Suckers
  19. Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks
  20. Atherinidae, Silversides
  21. Cottidae, Sculpins
  22. Sciaenidae, Drums
  23. Percidae, Perches
  24. Moronidae, Striped Basses
  25. Centrarchidae, Sunfishes

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