Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas)

The Black Bullhead or Ameiurus melas is a species of Catfish that is found in many places in North America including The Great Lakes, Ontario, New York, Arizona and California just to name a few.  This species of freshwater fish goes by a few different names depending on where you are including Horned Pout, Yellow Belly Bullhead and the Black Catfish.

Despite its name, this fish is actually normally green, olive and even has some yellowish shades.  The only time this fish is black is when the male is spawning or when they are first born.  Their underbellies are white or yellow in coloration.  The barbels of the Black Bullhead are often spotted or just black altogether, and these fish have a rather square tail.

Growing to just over 2' in length, they can live to about 10 years old and reach weighs of over 7lbs.  Black Bullhead are nocturnal and will feed on fish, clams, snails and even some plants.  When they spawn the female will prepare the nest.  Each time the eggs are released both parents will actually fan the eggs until they hatch.  Then they will guard the fry until they leave in groups into the great unknown.

If you have any additional information about the Black Bullhead that you would like to share please drop us a comment.
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Hornpout (Ameiurus nebulosus)

The Hornpout or Ameiurus nebulosus is a freshwater fish that is found in many places in North America. This fish goes by a few different names including the Brown Bullhead, Mud Pout, Horned Pout and the Mud Cat. Much like the Snakehead and many species of Catfish, this fish thrives in lakes and ponds with low oxygen levels and muddy conditions. They are bottom feeders that mainly eat fish, clams, leeches, insects and certain plants.

If you are fishing for the Hornpout you can consider using corn as bait which is know to work quite well. If you catch one of these fish in relatively clean and clear water they are edible, but generally the poorer the water quality, the worse they taste.

Hornpouts grow to about 7lbs, but are normally about 2lbs. As you can see, they have a series of long barbels on their faces. Spawning for these fish occurs in the hot summer months. If you have any additional information about the Hornpout please leave us a comment.