Scientific Name
Ameiurus natalis

Common Name
Yellow bullhead

Biology
Pools, backwaters, and sluggish current over soft substrate in creeks and small to large rivers; oxbows, ponds, and impoundments (Ref. 5723, 10294).

Classification

Classified By

Lesueur, 1819

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Catfish (Siluriformes)

Family

North American freshwater catfishes (Ictaluridae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: Atlantic and Gulf slope drainages from New York to northern Mexico, and St. Lawrence-Great Lakes and Mississippi river basins from southern Quebec west to central North Dakota, and south to the Gulf. At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction.

Range

42°N - 19°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

5 °C

Water Temperature To

15 °C

Depth From - meters

10 m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal; depth range 10 - ? m

Trophic Level

3.33 s.e. 0.46 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

47.0 cm

Common Length

22.5 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5078 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (46 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tmax=4; Fec=2,000)

Threat To Humans

Potential pest (Ref. 13686)

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated