The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech--Catfish

Yellow Bullhead, Ameiurus natalis

 
Physical Description: 
ï¿½	Rounded anal fin
ï¿½	Stout body, compressed posteriorly
ï¿½	Chin barbels pale
ï¿½	Sharp dorsal and pectoral spines
ï¿½	Depressed head
ï¿½	Inferior mouth
ï¿½	Tail fin not forked
ï¿½	Brown to gold body
ï¿½	Dusky brown fins

Similar species: 
ï¿½	White catfish (Ameiurus catus)
ï¿½	Flat bullhead (Ameiurus platycephalus)
ï¿½	Snail bullhead (Ameiurus brunneus)

Mean body size:
ï¿½	Adults are 120-300 mm standard length 

Habitat:
ï¿½	Warm pools and backwaters in ponds, lakes, and reservoirs, streams and rivers

Distribution in VA:
ï¿½	All Atlantic slope, Big Sandy, and Tennessee drainages
ï¿½	Introduced in the Roanoke and Big Sandy drainages

Food Habits:  
ï¿½	Microcrustaceans, insect larvae, and fish

Reproductive Habits: 
ï¿½	Mature by age 2
ï¿½	Spawning probably occurs in late April through June 
ï¿½	Spawn in shallow, round nests in calm water
ï¿½	200-700 eggs are laid

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
ï¿½	Most commonly-caught catfish

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):