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Species
- Catfish
- Bullheads |
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Brown Bullhead |
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Scientific Name: |
Ictalurus nebulosus |
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Common Names: |
brown bullhead, speckled cat, creek cat, mud cat, red cat, horned pout |
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Description: |
Their sides have a brownish irregular mottling with a grayish
background. Their belly is white. They have a more squared tail and
20 to 24 rays on the anal fin. The chin barbels are colored unlike
the nearly white ones of the Yellow Bullhead (see below) |
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Location: |
Central Florida northward. They like slow moving or still waters with
muddy bottoms. They prefer water temperatures of 78 to 82 degrees. |
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Size: |
Largest of the bullheads, reaching sizes of 3 lbs but average 1 lb or less. |
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Spawning: |
Spring and early summer after water temp rises above 70 deg F. The
male finds or forms a nest usually in secluded areas. The male and
female often protects the nest until the hatched larvae reach a size
of about 1 inch. |
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Prey: |
Sensitive taste buds in the barbels and on the skin are used to
locate prey. The feed primarily at night. They consume, among other
things, aquatic insects, carrion, snails, worms, leeches, crayfish,
and small fish. |
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Fishing notes: |
The best baits are live or cut fish, nightcrawlers and shrimp. Most
are bottom feeders so use heavy sinkers. |
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Yellow Bullhead |
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Scientific Name: |
Ameiurus natalis |
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Common Names: |
yellow bullhead, yellow cat, butter cat, white whiskered bullhead,
greaser, polliwog, chucklehead cat |
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Description: |
Their topsides are a dark yellowish green or black with a yellowish
sides. Unlike the Brown Bullhead, their sides have no mottling. Their
underside may be white or yellow. They have a squared tail and 23 to
27 rays on the anal fin. The chin barbels are light yellow or even a
pale pink. |
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Location: |
Florida northward. They like slow moving or still, clear, shallow
waters. Often found in vegetated areas. They can tolerate polluted
environments more than other catfish species. |
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Size: |
they can reach sizes of almost 3 lbs but average less than 1 lb. |
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Spawning: |
Spawning usually takes place in May and June. Nests are usually found
in secluded areas next to a submerged object. The male and female
often protect the nest until the hatched fry leave. |
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Prey: |
Sensitive taste buds in the barbels and on the skin are used to
locate prey. The feed primarily at night on minnows, snails, shrimp
and crayfish. They also may consume, among other things, aquatic
insects and organic matter. |
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Fishing notes: |
The best baits are cut bait, worms, and insects. |
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(c) 2001 TL McDonald - All Rights Reserved |
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