black bullhead

Ameiurus melas

Fully dark barbels pair with a rounded tail

Black
Temperate
Northern Hemisphere
Transcontinental
Freshwater fish
Europe
North America
Fusiform
Large
Temperate fish

The black bullhead or black bullhead catfish (Ameiurus melas) is a species of bullhead catfish. Like other bullhead catfish, it has the ability to thrive in waters that are low in oxygen, brackish, turbid, and/or very warm. It also has barbels located near its mouth, a broad head, spiny fins, and no scales.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Catfishes
Family: Ictaluridae
Genus: Ameiurus
Maximum length: 66 cm
Water: Freshwater
Body shape: fusiform
Distribution: North America: Great Lakes to northern Mexico. Confusion over the taxonomic status of this species together with Ameiurus nebulosus resulted in more doubts as to which of the two is present in some countries. In Europe it forms dense stunted populations which makes it unpopular. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction (Ref. 1739 ). In Europe, self-sustaining populations recorded from Ebro and Tagus drainages (Iberian Peninsula), most drainages of France, locally in Italy, the Netherlands and Germany; distribution could be wider (Ref. 59043 )
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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