Black Bullhead

The black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) is native to freshwater ecosystems in central North America, east of the Rockies to the Appalachians. Outside of native states, black bullhead have established populations in all other continental states. Characteristic of most other catfishes, black bullhead have flattened heads and bellies to accommodate their bottom-dwelling lifestyles, darker coloration than brown and yellow bullheads, and a lower lip that does not protrude beyond their upper lip, like flathead catfish. They can grow up to two feet long – a record maximum length for bullheads. These fish are benthic omnivores, meaning they eat a range of diet items including small fish, invertebrates, and plant matter as they cruise along the bottom.

Fun Fact: This species is known to provide parental care to their young, watching over nests while the eggs develop, and continuing supervision over hatched fry until they reach about 1-inch long!