Ameiurus natalis (Lesueur, 1819)
Yellow bullhead
Ameiurus natalis
photo by Scarola, J.F.

Family:  Ictaluridae (North American freshwater catfishes)
Max. size:  60 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 1,920.0 g; max. reported age: 4 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; depth range - 10 m
Distribution:  North America: Atlantic and Gulf slope drainages from New York to northern Mexico, and St. Lawrence-Great Lakes and Mississippi river basins from southern Quebec west to central North Dakota, and south to the Gulf. At least one country reports adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Pools, backwaters, and sluggish current over soft substrate in creeks and small to large rivers; oxbows, ponds, and impoundments (Ref. 5723, 10294). Feeds on variety of insects and other bottom dwelling organisms such as mollusks and crustaceans (Ref. 27549).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 14 October 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  potential pest


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.