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Northern black bullhead 



Northern black bullhead 



Ameiurus rnelas melas (Rafinesque) 



General description. — No scales on body; eight 

 large barbels around mouth, the four under the chin 

 gray or black; anal fin with 18-20 rays; adipose fin 

 (small fleshy fin on back behind dorsal fin) distinct 

 and free; fin membranes jet black, rays lighter in 

 color; body, dark-brown to black above, yellow to dirty 

 gray on belly. 



This common bullhead is found from New York and 

 the Missouri basin south to Texas and Alabama. The 

 fish is small, and the young are often used for bait 

 along the Mississippi River. 



The black bullhead spawns from April to June. 

 The nest is usually 6 inches deep on shallow sand or 

 mud bottom. The eggs and young are guarded by both 

 parents . 



The food of this species includes aquatic vegeta- 

 tion, fish, small mollusks, snails, crayfishes, and 

 aquatic insects. Vegetation, aquatic insects, and 

 small mollusks are the preferred items. 



