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Montana Animal Field Guide

Montana Field Guides

Yellow Bullhead - Ameiurus natalis

  • Yellow Bullhead Color Plate
  • Yellow Bullhead Black-and-White Plate
  • Yellow Bullhead Photograph
  • Yellow Bullhead Outline
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Exotic Species (not native to Montana)

Global Rank: G5
State Rank: SNA

Agency Status
USFWS: none
USFS: none
BLM: none
CFWCS Tier: 4
 

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 sawlike teeth.

General Distribution
Montana Range


 


Summary of Observations Submitted for Montana
Number of Observations: 23

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Relative Density

Recency

 

(Records associated with a range of dates 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.

Citations & Sources
  • Holton, G. D. 2003. A field guide to Montana fishes. Mont. Dept. Fish, Wildl. Parks, 95 pp.
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Citation for data on this website:
Yellow Bullhead — Ameiurus natalis.  Montana Field Guide.  Retrieved on February 9, 2010, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_AFCKA06040.aspx
 
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