Other Names:
Polliwog, chucklehead cat
Description
Ameiurus is
Greek and means "primitive" or "curtailed" in reference to the
slight notch in the caudal fin; melas is also Greek and
means "black." Black bullheads are typically black to
greenish-black on the back, ranging to gray or white on the
belly. However, in muddy water the back may be yellowish-brown.
Chin barbels are dark or black, never white. The anal fin has
17-21 rays.
Angling Importance
Black bullheads are
not generally considered an important gamefish in Texas, though
they are readily fished for by anglers in the Panhandle, and in
far East Texas. A variety of baits may be used to catch them, but
worms are usually the best. The largest specimen reported to date
in Texas was 4.53 pounds.
Biology
During late spring
or early summer black bullheads excavate nests in mud bottoms and
spawn. Areas with some sort of cover are preferred. Nests contain
golden-yellow egg masses which are guarded by both parents (at
least one is present at all times). Eggs hatch in four to six
days. Fry begin to school in compact balls which are guarded by
adults until individuals reach about one inch in length. Black
bullheads are omnivorous, feeding primarily from the bottom on a
wide range of plant and animal material, both live and dead.
Fingerlings feed almost exclusively on crustaceans. Immature
aquatic insects and crustaceans often comprise a considerable
proportion of the adult diet. The average life span is usually
less than five years, and most adults are less than one pound.
However, some individuals may live more than 10 years and reach
eight pounds.
Distribution
The original
distribution of the black bullhead included the central plains
west of the Appalachians and east of the Rockies, extending north
into Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and south into south Texas and
New Mexico. Today artificial introductions have extended the
range west of the Rockies in isolated pockets including areas of
British Columbia, Alberta, Mexico, California, Arizona, Nevada,
and Idaho. In Texas the black bullhead is distributed statewide
with the exception of the Trans-Pecos drainage.
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