Ameiurus natalis
Yellow Bullhead
Larry Page
Identification
The Yellow Bullhead has white or yellow chin barbels throughout most of its range (dusky brown in peninsular Florida). The anal fin is long and fairly straight in outline, with 24-27 rays. The rays at the front of the anal fin are slightly longer than those at the rear. There are 5-8 large teeth on the rear of the pectoral spine. The caudal fin edge is rounded or truncate (almost straight). The body is yellow-olive to slate-black above, with a lighter, yellow-olive side and w hite to bright yellow below. The fins are dusky, and the anal fin commonly has a dusky stripe in the middle. The dorsal fin base lacks the dark blotch found in some other species of Ameiurus. The first gill arch has 13-15 rackers. To 18 1/4 in. (47 cm) total length.
Range
The native range of the Yellow Bullhead is Atlantic and Gulf Slope drainages from New York to northern Mexico, and the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins from southern Quebec west to central North Dakota and south to the Gulf of Mexico. Yellow Bullheads are introduced into many other regions of the United States. The species is common, especially in the center of its range.
Native distribution of Ameiurus natalis. © Larry Page
Habitat
Yellow Bullheads are found in slow current over soft substrates in pools and backwaters of creeks and small to large rivers, and in oxbows, ponds, and lakes.
Similar Species
The Black Bullhead, A. melas, has dusky or black chin barbels, a rounded anal fin, and fewer anal rays (19-23) and rakers on the first gill arch (15-21). The Brown Bullhead, A. nebulosus, usually is mottled on the side of the body, has dusky or black chin barbels and fewer anal rays (19-23).
Title Illustrations
| Scientific Name | Ameiurus natalis |
|---|---|
| Location | Coon Cr., Iroquois Co., IL |
| Specimen Condition | Dead Specimen |
| Identified By | L. M. Page |
| Life Cycle Stage | Adult |
| Size | 92 mm SL |
| Copyright |
© Larry Page
|
About This Page
Larry Page
Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida, USA
Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to Larry Page at and Griffin Sheehy at
Page copyright © 2007 Larry Page
All Rights Reserved.
- First online 23 May 2007
- Content changed 23 May 2007
Citing this page:
Page, Larry. 2007. Ameiurus natalis . Yellow Bullhead. Version 23 May 2007 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Ameiurus_natalis/69831/2007.05.23 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
