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Yellow Bullhead - Ameiurus natalis
General Description
The Yellow bullhead is similar to the black bullhead in nearly all respects, except it has white or creamy chin barbels. It has been introduced from the Midwest into a few scattered locales, mostly in southeast Montana, but is of little consequence to the fishery fauna of this state.
Diagnostic Characteristics
Overall yellowish brown to yellow, back darker,underside yellow or white. Young usually dark brown or black, with light-colored underside. Rear edge of spine in pectoral fins has saw-like teeth.
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Non-native
Western Hemisphere Range
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 147
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Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
Weedy, shallow, clear-water areas of lakes and slow-moving streams.
Food Habits
Food mostly aquatic insects, mollusks, crayfish, and small fish. May also eat remains of dead organisms.
Ecology
Usually associated with black bullhead where found in southeast Montana. Rarely lives past 4 years.
Reproductive Characteristics
Sexually mature in 2-3 years. Spawns May-early July in 1-4 ft. of water.
References
- Literature Cited AboveLegend:
View Online Publication- Lee, D.S., C.R. Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, J. R. Stauffer, Jr. 1980. Atlas of North American freshwater fishes. North Carolina State Musuem of Natural History. 867 p.
- Scott, W.B. and E.J. Crossman. 1973. Rainbow trout, Kamloops trout, Steelhead trout Salmo gairdneri Richardson. pp. 184-191. In: Freshwater fishes of Canada. Ottawa, Canada: Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Bulletin 184. 966 p.
- Additional ReferencesLegend: View Online Publication
Do you know of a citation we're missing?- Joslin, Gayle, and Heidi B. Youmans. 1999. Effects of recreation on Rocky Mountain wildlife: a review for Montana. [Montana]: Montana Chapter of the Wildlife Society.
Penkal, R.F. 1977. Black bass populations of the Tongue River Reservoir, Montana. M.Sc. Thesis. Bozeman, MT: Montana State University. 111 p.- USDI Bureau of Land Management. No date. Fishes of the Miles city, Montana BLM District. Miles City, MT: Miles City BLM District pamphlet. 12 p.
- Web Search Engines for Articles on "Yellow Bullhead"
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