- 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). In four to six days
eggs hatch and 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 priMarchily 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 that 10 years and reach eight pounds.
- Discription: 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 has17-21 rays.
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. |
