The Black Bullhead 



fiddle-string material for strength and durability as possible. The 

 meat of the bullhead is not as choice as that of the mackerel, 

 but it fills up a stomach just as well, and The Sun insists that 

 the fish commissioners shall drop the hatching of aristocratic fish 

 and give the bullheads a chance." 



Black Bullhead 



Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque) 



This is our smallest species of Ameiurus, and rarely exceeds 

 6 to 10 inches in length. It is found in brooks, ponds and 

 lakes, from northern New York westward to Kansas and Nebraska, 

 and south to Texas, and is usually abundant, especially west of 

 the Mississippi. It closely resembles the common bullhead, 

 but can usually be easily distinguished by the smaller anal fin, the 

 light rays and dark membranes of the anal fin, and the smaller 

 size. 



Its habits are essentially those of the related species. It thrives 

 in small ponds, especially in those with muck bottom, and on this 

 species in Wyoming County, New York, the senior writer made 

 his first experiments in fish-culture. 



Head 3! in length of body; depth ft to 4^; A. 17 to 19. 

 Body very short and deep; head broad behind, rather contracted 

 anteriorly, the front steeply elevated; pectoral spine short, 2\ to 3 

 in head; base of anal fin short, only about \ length of body; 

 jaws nearly equal; barbels longer than head; humeral process rather 

 long and rough. Colour, almost black, often varying to yellowish 



30 



