The white bullhead (''Ameiurus catus''), also known as the white catfish, is a member of the family
Ictaluridae of the order
Siluriformes.
Distribution
Originally native to the coastal river systems of the
Eastern United States, the catfish spread to other parts of the U.S.
Description
''Ameiurus catus '' has a head with eight
barbels, two nasal, two maxillary and four chin. It is scaleless. It has a spine on the anterior edge of its dorsal and pectoral fins. It usually has six dorsal soft rays. It does not have palatine teeth.
It typically weighs between , however, it is possible to attain weights upwards of 10 pounds (4.5 kg).
Habitat
''Ameiurus catus '' is found throughout the U.S. It prefers sluggish, mud-bottom pools and backwaters of rivers and streams, and does well in lakes and large impediments.
[ ]
Behavior
Feeding
White catfish feed mostly on the bottom, where they eat other fish and aquatic insects. They feed most actively at dusk and through the night
[ ] mostly on bottom-dwelling insects, worms, amphipods, and other small invertebrates.
Reproduction
Reproduction occurs from April to July when the water temperature ranges between 65 and 75 °F. A gelatinous mass of eggs is deposited in a cavity created by hollow logs or undercut banks. The male guards the nest and incubates the eggs by continually fanning fresh water over them.
See also
*
Bullhead catfish
''Ameiurus'' is a genus of catfishes in the family Ictaluridae. It contains the three common types of bullhead catfish found in waters of the United States, the black bullhead (''Ameiurus melas''), the brown bullhead (''Ameiurus nebulosus''), a ...
(general)
References
white bullhead
The white bullhead (''Ameiurus catus''), also known as the white catfish, is a member of the family Ictaluridae of the order Siluriformes.
Distribution
Originally native to the coastal river systems of the Eastern United States, the catfish spr ...
Fish of the Eastern United States
Freshwater fish of the Southeastern United States
white bullhead
The white bullhead (''Ameiurus catus''), also known as the white catfish, is a member of the family Ictaluridae of the order Siluriformes.
Distribution
Originally native to the coastal river systems of the Eastern United States, the catfish spr ...
white bullhead
The white bullhead (''Ameiurus catus''), also known as the white catfish, is a member of the family Ictaluridae of the order Siluriformes.
Distribution
Originally native to the coastal river systems of the Eastern United States, the catfish spr ...
Freshwater fish of North America
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