The Black Bullhead is the most common bullhead in the midwestern US. It can be distinguished from the other bullheads in several ways: the chin whiskers are all black or dark gray, the tail is square or shallowly notched, and they have 17 to 21 rays in the anal fin. Fin membranes are jet black in color. Their pectoral fins are not heavily serrated. Black Bullheads also have a distinctive lighter-colored bar at the base of the tail. Black bullheads often show some bright yellow coloration, especially on the jaws and underside. This results in some confusion with the yellow bullhead, but the yellow bullhead has white chin whiskers and a rounded tail. Black Bullheads are able to tolerate extremely poor water conditions, and often thrive where other fish species are unable to live. Winterkill lakes, in which fish populations are periodically devasted by a lack of oxygen in the winter, are prime locations for black bullhead populations to explode. They are found in rivers, streams, and lakes, and seldom weigh more than a pound.
Other Names: Bullhead, Common Bullhead, Yellow Belly, Yellow-Bellied Bullhead, Black Catfish, Black Cat, Horned Pout, River Snapper, Stinger
Barbels and Spiny Fins: All bullheads have eight barbels around the mouth - which are used for tasting and smelling the water. The barbels are harmless. However, bullheads also have three sharp spines one at the front of each pectoral and the dorsal fin. Watch out for those spines! The spines can deliver a painful sting - they are coated in an irritant toxin that can cause pain and swelling around the wound. Immersing the wound in water that is as hot as the wounded person can tolerate will detoxify the irritant and relieve the pain.