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Family: Ictaluridae - Bullhead Catfishes
Family
Profile - University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
Family
Profile - Fishes of New York State
Distribution and Habitat
N = Native, I = Introduced (exotic), X = Extinct, P =
Extirpated
Table modified from "The Life of the Lakes: A Guide
to the Great Lakes Fishery" MI Sea Grant Extension, Michigan State
University.
Species Profiles
Ameiurus
melas (aka Ictalurus)
- black bullhead |
Profile
- Fish of Indiana
Profile
- Fishes of Minnesota
Profile
- Fishes of New York State
Scientific
Profile - Fishes of Wisconsin
Scientific
Profile - University of Michigan Museum of Zoology |
Black bullheads have black or gray barbels, yellow
bullhead has white. Found in shallow and often silty water - high
tolerance for turbidity and low oxygen. This bottom dweller is considered
a scavenger (eats dead things) and an opportunist (eats whatever
comes its way). Both young and adult black bullhead eat insects (all
stages), clams, snails, waterfleas and other small-crustaceans, crayfish,
leeches, and even plant material. Adults eat small fish, including
other bullheads, but fish are really a small part of their diet.
Length to 50cm. The state record in Minnesota is 6 kg (3 lb, 13 oz). |
Fish
of Indiana |
Fishes
of Minnesota |
Other drawings/artwork:
US
Fish and Wildlife Service
Fishes
of New York State
Other photos:
The
Virtual Aquarium at Virginia Tech
Fishes
of Minnesota |
Ictalurus
punctatus - channel catfish |
Profile
- Interactive Fishtank - Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Profile
- Fish of Indiana
Identifying
Michigan Sport Fish - MI DNR
Profile
- Fishes of Minnesota
Profile
- Great Lakes Field Guide - A Superior Adventure - Bell Museum
Profile
- Fishes of New York State
Scientific
Profile - Fishes of Wisconsin
Scientific
Profile - University of Michigan Museum of Zoology |
Found in bays, boat channels, harbors and along rocky
shorelines. Prefer deep water with clean gravel or boulder substrates,
and low to moderate current. Channel catfish feed most actively from
sundown to midnight near and on the bottom. They consume a huge variety
of foods, including aquatic insect larvae, crayfish, clams, green
algae, water plants, worms, and many kinds of small fish. Weight
may exceed 40 lbs in our waters. Length to 60 cm. The Minnesota's
state record for this fish is 17.3 kg (38 lbs, 0 oz). |
GLERL
Waterlife Photo Gallery |
Fishes
of Minnesota |
Other drawings/artwork:
US
Fish and Wildlife Service
GLFC
Fishtank
Fish
of Indiana
Fishes
of New York State
Other photos:
Fishes
of Minnesota
The
Virtual Aquarium at Virginia Tech
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