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Bullhead (Ameiurus platycephalus) — Ictaluridae

Bullhead

Ameiurus platycephalus
Family: Ictaluridae
LC · Least Concern

The Bullhead (Ameiurus platycephalus) is a freshwater fish of the family Ictaluridae that grows up to 29 cm.

Length
29 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The flat bullhead is a North American bullhead catfish (Ictaluridae) from the southeastern United States. The species has an elongate, scaleless body with a flattened head, four pairs of barbels, an adipose fin and stout pectoral and dorsal fin spines. It inhabits mud, sand or rock-bottomed pools of small to large rivers and also lakes. Probing the bottom, it feeds on insect larvae, small invertebrates, molluscs and plant matter. The stout fin spines can give a painful puncture wound when handled.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bullhead?

The Bullhead has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Bullhead live?

The Bullhead lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bullhead get?

The Bullhead grows to a maximum of about 29 cm. On average the species is around 23 cm.

Is the Bullhead dangerous to humans?

No, the Bullhead is harmless to humans.

Is the Bullhead edible?

Yes, the Bullhead is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Platkop-dwergmeerval sourced
English name
Bullhead verified
Scientific name
Ameiurus platycephalus
Family
Ictaluridae
Other names
Flat bullhead verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
29.0 verified
Average length (cm)
23.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Nocturnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
7.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Ameiurus

More from the family Ictaluridae

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