A bullhead is a type of catfish and is known for its three sub-species, the black (Ictalurus melas), the brown (Ictalurus nebulosus) and the yellow (Ictalurus natalis). Their back is molted yellow and brown to almost black with an under surface of yellow to white, only reaching an average of 10 inches in length. Just like other catfish species, bullhead are known for their eight catlike whiskers and their lack of scales.P>The bullhead inhabits warm waters of shallow ponds, lakes and river sloughs. Black bullhead prefer places with aquatic weeds. They thrive in shallow lakes that occasionally suffer from winter-kill and where other species such as largemouth bass, yellow perch or bluegill don't do well because of marginal water quality.
Both black and brown bullheads feed primarily on snails, worms, aquatic insects and plant material. Springtime is a popular time of year for many anglers to pursue this catfish.
Females scoop out saucer-shaped nests in mud or sand in the spring. Adhesive-type eggs are guarded by one or both parents. They fan the eggs with their tails and stirring them with their barbells. Fry will leave the nest in a school, leaving the parents to continue guarding them until they are about an inch long.
