TN00174    YELLOW BULLHEAD    ICTALURUS NATALIS 

Taxonomy

Species ID	TN00174
Name	BULLHEAD, YELLOW
Other Common Names
Category	01 Fish
Elcode
Phylum	CHORDATA
Subphylum	VERTEBRATA
Class	OSTEICHTHYES
Subclass
Suborder
Order	SILURIFORMES
Family	ICTALURIDAE
Genus	ICTALURUS
Species	NATALIS
Subspecies
Authority	LESEUR 1819
Scientific Name	ICTALURUS NATALIS

References

TN5002, 816, 1246, 1302, 1306, TN5072, 4205

Comments

No definitive systematic study of species; 2 subspecies recognized at one time but synomized by Bailey et al. (1954); Scott & Crossman (1973) commented that I. n. erebennus and I. n. natalis still often considered distinct subspecies and provided list of synonyms *TN5002*. Jenkins accepts that this species should be listed in the genus Ameirus; formerly listed as Ictalurus natalis *4205*. AFS Common Names lists as Ictalurus and is used as standard *816*.

Status

Status Code	Status Translation	References
223	Nongame-Protected	TN5002
000	Unclassified	TN5168

County Name	Historical Occurrence	Resident Occurrence	General Occurrence	Seasonal Occurrence	Abundance
Anderson	2	2	2	All Seasons
Bedford	2	2	2	All Seasons
Benton	2	2	2	All Seasons
Bledsoe	2	2	2	All Seasons
Blount	2	2	2	All Seasons
Bradley	2	2	2	All Seasons
Campbell	2	2	2	All Seasons
Cannon	2	2	2	All Seasons
Carroll	2	2	2	All Seasons
Carter	2	2	2	All Seasons
Cheatham	2	2	2	All Seasons
Chester	2	2	2	All Seasons
Claiborne	2	2	2	All Seasons
Clay	2	2	2	All Seasons
Cocke	2	2	2	All Seasons
Coffee	2	2	2	All Seasons
Crockett	2	2	2	All Seasons
Cumberland	2	2	2	All Seasons
Davidson	2	2	2	All Seasons
Decatur	2	2	2	All Seasons
DeKalb	2	2	2	All Seasons
Dickson	2	2	2	All Seasons
Dyer	2	2	2	All Seasons
Fayette	2	2	2	All Seasons
Fentress	2	2	2	All Seasons
Franklin	2	2	2	All Seasons
Gibson	2	2	2	All Seasons
Giles	2	2	2	All Seasons
Grainger	2	2	2	All Seasons
Greene	2	2	2	All Seasons
Grundy	2	2	2	All Seasons
Hamblen	2	2	2	All Seasons
Hamilton	2	2	2	All Seasons
Hancock	2	2	2	All Seasons
Hardeman	2	2	2	All Seasons
Hardin	2	2	2	All Seasons
Hawkins	2	2	2	All Seasons
Haywood	2	2	2	All Seasons
Henderson	2	2	2	All Seasons
Henry	2	2	2	All Seasons
Hickman	2	2	2	All Seasons
Houston	2	2	2	All Seasons
Humphreys	2	2	2	All Seasons
Jackson	2	2	2	All Seasons
Jefferson	2	2	2	All Seasons
Johnson	2	2	2	All Seasons
Knox	2	2	2	All Seasons
Lake	2	2	2	All Seasons
Lauderdale	2	2	2	All Seasons
Lawrence	2	2	2	All Seasons
Lewis	2	2	2	All Seasons
Lincoln	2	2	2	All Seasons
Loudon	2	2	2	All Seasons
McMinn	2	2	2	All Seasons
McNairy	2	2	2	All Seasons
Macon	2	2	2	All Seasons
Madison	2	2	2	All Seasons
Marion	2	2	2	All Seasons
Marshall	2	2	2	All Seasons
Maury	2	2	2	All Seasons
Meigs	2	2	2	All Seasons
Monroe	2	2	2	All Seasons
Montgomery	2	2	2	All Seasons
Moore	2	2	2	All Seasons
Morgan	2	2	2	All Seasons
Obion	2	2	2	All Seasons
Overton	2	2	2	All Seasons
Perry	2	2	2	All Seasons
Pickett	2	2	2	All Seasons
Polk	2	2	2	All Seasons
Putnam	2	2	2	All Seasons
Rhea	2	2	2	All Seasons
Roane	2	2	2	All Seasons
Robertson	2	2	2	All Seasons
Rutherford	2	2	2	All Seasons
Scott	2	2	2	All Seasons
Sequatchie	2	2	2	All Seasons
Sevier	2	2	2	All Seasons
Shelby	2	2	2	All Seasons
Smith	2	2	2	All Seasons
Stewart	2	2	2	All Seasons
Sullivan	2	2	2	All Seasons
Sumner	2	2	2	All Seasons
Tipton	2	2	2	All Seasons
Trousdale	2	2	2	All Seasons
Unicoi	2	2	2	All Seasons
Union	2	2	2	All Seasons
Van Buren	2	2	2	All Seasons
Warren	2	2	2	All Seasons
Washington	2	2	2	All Seasons
Wayne	2	2	2	All Seasons
Weakley	2	2	2	All Seasons
White	2	2	2	All Seasons
Williamson	2	2	2	All Seasons
Wilson	2	2	2	All Seasons

Absent Within Counties	Unknown Within Counties

Hydrologic Unit Code References TN5072

Quadrangle	Quadrangle Name

Quadrangle Distribution References

Ecoregion	Ecoregion Name
221100	Mixed Mesophytic Forest
221400	Appalachian Oak Forest
221500	Oak-Hickory Forest
231200	Southern Flood Plain Forest
232000	Southeastern Mixed Forest

Ecoregion Distribution References TN5072,

River Reach	River Reach Name

River Reach References

Distribution General Comments

General Distribution References

Habitat(s): Aquatic

Comments on General Habitat

Common in areas of heavy vegetation in shallow, clear bays of lakes, ponds and slow moving streams *816* Found in pools and backwaters of streams and in ponds and reservoirs. Occupies large, moderate-gradient montane streams to sluggish lower Piedmont and Coastal Plain streams of various sizes *4205*.

General Habitat References

4205, 816

Forest Size Class Association

Forest Size Class Association References

Society of American Forester's Type Associations	Seral Stage	Canopy Closure

References on SAF Type Association

Land Use/Land Cover Associations

Water

Streams and Canals

Lakes

Reservoirs

Land Use/Land Cover Association References

1302

National Wetlands Inventory Associations	Class	Modifier	Special Modifier
Riverine, lower perennial	Flat, vegetated nonpioneer	Nontidal, permanent	fresh
Riverine, lower perennial	Flat, vegetated pioneer	Nontidal, permanent	fresh
Riverine, lower perennial	Flat, cobble/gravel	Nontidal, permanent	fresh
Riverine, lower perennial	Flat, sand	Nontidal, permanent	fresh
Riverine, lower perennial	Flat, mud	Nontidal, permanent	fresh
Riverine, lower perennial	Flat, organic	Nontidal, permanent	fresh
Lacustrine, littoral	Flat, vegetated nonpioneer	Nontidal, permanent	fresh

NWI Association References

1302, 1306

Animal/Plant Associations

Parasites: Trematoda

Cestoda

Nematoda

Ascanthocephalans

leeches

molluscs

crustaceans

linguatulans *842*

Animal/Plant Association References

842

Habitat Evaluation Procedures Comments on HEP

HEP References

Potential Natural Vegetation Associations

Mosaic of Bluestem Prairie and Oak-Hickory Forest

Cedar Glade

Southeastern Spruce-Fir Forest

Oak-Hickory Forest

Mixed Mesophytic Forest

Appalachian Oak Forest

Northern Hardwoods

Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest

Southern Mixed Forest

Southeastern Floodplain Forest

PNV References

TN5072,

USFS Associations

USFS References

Tennessee Habitat Associations	Habitat Value	Translation

References on TENHAB Association

Habitat Relationships	Special Habitat Relationships

References on Habitat Relationships

Food Habits

Trophic	References
Carnivore	788

Lifestage	Food Item Consumed	Part of Food Item
General	Oligochaetes	Not Specified
General	Animals	Adult stage
General	Annelids	Adult stage
General	Crustaceans	Adult stage
General	Malacostraca	Adult stage
General	Insects	Adult stage
General	Ephemeroptera	Adult stage
General	Osteichthyes	Adult stage
General	Coleoptera	See Comments
General	See Comments on Food Habits	Adult stage
General	Animals	Not Specified
Adult	Animals	Adult stage
Adult	Annelids	Adult stage
Adult	Crustaceans	Adult stage
Adult	Malacostraca	Adult stage
Adult	Insects	Juvenile stage
Adult	Ephemeroptera	Adult stage
Adult	Osteichthyes	Adult stage
Adult	Coleoptera	See Comments
Adult	See Comments on Food Habits	Adult stage
General	Oligochaetes
Adult	Animals

Comments on General Food Habits

ADULTS EAT A VARIETY OF LIVING AND DEAD MATERIAL *5176*; ALSO EATS ALGAE *5176* 9999S=considered a scavenger *842*. Young yellow bullheads mainly eat microcrustaceans and insect larvae; the omnivorous adults primarily consume various invertebrates and fishes *4205*.

Comments on Adult Food Habits

9999S=considered a scavenger *842*

Comments on Juvenile Food Habits

YOUNG FEED PRINCIPALLY ON ENTOMOSTRACANS AND INSECT LARVAE *TN5176*

References/Lifestage	Reference Numbers
General	TN5176, 788, 196
Adult	788, 196
Juvenile	TN5176,

Environmental Associations

Lifestage	Environmental Association
General	Turbidity: Clear water
General	Bottom Type [Aquatic]: Rooted aquatic vegetation
General	Density of Aquatic Vegetation: High
General	Flow: Small streams [5-50 cfs mean annual flow]
General	Water Depth Preference: Specified in Comments
General	Aquatic Features: Stream weed beds
General	Aquatic Features: Lake weed beds
General	See comments on environmental associations
General	Aquatic Features: Pool areas
General	Aquatic Features: Backwaters

Comments on General Environmental Associations

99999S=COMMON IN AREAS OF HEAVY VEGETATION IN SHALLOW, CLEAR BAYS OF LAKES, POLNDS AND SLOW MOVING STREAMS; TENDS TO INHABIT SMALLER, WEEDIER BODIES OF WATER THAN I. NEBULOSUS IN SOUTHERN PART OF RANGE *816*; 00290S=SHALLOW BAYS *816,842*.

Comments on Limiting Environmental Associations

0

References/Lifestage	Reference Numbers
General	816, 842, 4205

Life History

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: This is a medium to large bullhead, with adults usually growing to 120-300 mm Standard Length. The tail is emargin- ate; chin barbels pale; body stout, compressed posteriorly; head de- pressed; profile of head dorsum straight to nearly convex in juvenile and adult, moderately convex in nuptial male; lower jaw slightly to moderately inferior; eyes small. The pectoral spine is nearly straight; anterior serrae few, and best developed distally; posterior serrae 5-8, moderate to large. Two males captured in June and July had pronounced swelling of the dorsal head and nape musculature; the genital papilla was elongate, conical, and flattened at the base. The dorsal fin has 1 spine, 6 rays; branched caudal rays 16; anal rays 24-27(28); pelvic rays 8; pectoral with 1 spine, 7-8 rays; gill rakers (12)13-16(18). Color: Dorsum olive-brown; side gold to olive-brown; venter yellow to white; fins dusky brown to olive-brown. The young are dark brown on the dorsum and side, and the venter is white *4205*. REPRODUCTION: Spawning takes place in the spring for a period of about 2 weeks, in late May to early June, possibly earlier than other bull- heads in the same area; pair for one season, and one or both sexes builds a nest in water 18" to 4' deep, that varies from the usual shal- low depression to a burrow 2' deep, often under a stream bank or near the protection of stones or stumps; batches of creamy white, glutinous eggs; usually 300-700 are fertilized during a spawn clasp; total egg number has been calculated at 1652-4270 in females weighing 6-20 ounces and 230-330 mm long; eggs hatch in 5-10 days; the male or both parents guard the nest and the brood of young until they are about 51 mm long; the young school during fry stage *842,2737*; maximum age appears to be 6-7 years; sexual maturity is probably attained at 2-3 years of age *842*; in MO, adults are commonly 7-13.5 inches long and weigh 0.2- 1.3 pounds, with maximum of 16.8 inches in length and 2 pounds *1187*. In Iowa, may reach a weight of 2 pounds and reach a length of 3 inches by the end of the first year *2737*. BEHAVIOR: organs of taste and smell are greatly enlarges and extended, and so are the regions of the brain involved in these senses; visual abilities are reduced or in some cases even absent; this species is territorial, and can identify individuals of its own species; they ex- hibit a dominance hierarchy; the taste buds are used to find food and olfactory senses are used to receive chemical communications, and help them to feed on bottom of lakes, streams or ponds *1307*; they are active at night, or at dawn and dusk; 80% of activity occurs at night; the adults are more nocturnal, juveniles more crepuscular *6477,6478*. Young yellow bullheads eat mostly microcrustaceans and insect larvae; the omnivorous adults primarily consume various invertebrates and fishes *4205*. ORIGIN: Native *789*. LIMITING FACTORS: Although reported to occur in waters with a salinity of up to 15 ppt in Florida, it is rarely found in waters with a salinity of 5 ppt in North Carolina; it is not known to inhabit estuaries in Virginia *4205*. POPULATION PARAMETERS: The maximum lifespan appears to be about 6-7 years; sexual maturity is attained in two to three years *842*. AQUATIC/TERRESTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS: This species may be in the process of being replaced by the black bullhead (I. melas Rafinesque) in those streams that have been considerably modified by siltation, although records obtained during the past decade do not indicate that either species is much more abundant than the other at the present time *789*. PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: DISTINGUISHED BY WHITE CHIN BARBELS *TN5058* REPRODUCTION: IN LAKES, NESTS OCCUR IN HEAVY BANKS OF WEEDS OFTEN SMALL ROOTS FROM THE SURROUNDING VEGETATION ARE LEFT IN THE BURROW AND FREQUENTLY SERVE AS ANCHORAGE FOR THE ADHESIVE EGGS *TN5176* BEHAVIOR: IN QUIET WATER, SCHOOLS OF SEVERAL HUNDRED YOUNG FEED AND MOVE IN COMPACT GROUPS NEAR THE SURFACE, WITH THE GUARDIAN PARENT REMAINING 0.3-0.6 M AWAY IN FALL THE YOUNG HIDE UNDER LOGS AND STONES IN SHALLOW WATER APPEARS TO BE MORE SELECTIVE AND MORE NOCTURNAL IN ITS FEEDING HABITS THAN OTHER BULLHEADS *TN5176* USES SENSE OF SMELL TO DISCRIMINATE BETWEEN DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS OF ITS OWN SCHOOL, APPARENTLY BY THE RELEASE OF PHEROMONES BY THE OTHER FISH *TN5177*

Life History

References for Life History Codes

1307, 789, 842, 1187, 2737, 6478, 6477, 6479, 4205, TN5176, TN5177, TN5058

Comments on Life History Codes

Management Practices

References/Result	Reference Numbers

References

196* Leopold, A.S., Gutierres, R.J., Bronson, M.T. 1981. North 
American Game Birds and Mammals. Charles Scribners Sons, New 
York, New York:198.

788* Carlander, K.D. 1969. Handbook of Freshwater Fishery 
Biology. Life History Data on Freshwater Fishes of the United 
States and Canada,Exclusive of the Perciformes. 1. Iowa State 
Univ., Ames:752.

789* Clay, W.M. 1975. The Fishes of Kentucky. 12. Ken. Dept. 
Fish and Wildl., Frankfort:416.

816* 1980. Atlas of North American Freshwater Fishes. Lee, D.S., 
Gilbert, C.R., Hocutt, C.H., McAllister, R.E., Stauffer, J.R., 
Jr. (eds.). Pub. 1980-12 of N. Car. Biol. Surv, N. C. State Mus. 
of Nat. Hist., Raleigh:854.

842* Scott, W.B., Crossman, E.J. 1973. Freshwater fishes of 
Canada. Can. Fish. Res. Board Bull. 184.:966.

1187* Pflieger, W.L. 1975. The fishes of Missouri. Mo. Dept. 
Conserv.,:173.

1246* Robins, C. R., Bailey, R.M., Bond, C.E., Brooker, J.R., 
Lachner, E.A., Lea, R.N., Scott, W.B. 1980. A list of common and 
scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. 
Am. Fish. Soc., Spec. Publ. No 12. Am. Fish. Soc., Bethesda, Md.

1302* Norman, J. R. 1975. A history of fishes. Ernest Benn Ltd., 
London:467.

1306* Trautman, M.B. 1957. The fishes of Ohio. Ohio State Univ. 
Press, Columbus:683.

1307* Todd, J. H. 1971. The chemical languages of fishes. Sci. 
Am. 224.:98-108.

2737* Harlan, J.R., Speaker, E.B. 1956. Iowa fish and fishing 
3rd. ed. 3rd ed. State Conserv. Comm., State of Iowa,:377.

4205* Jenkins, R.E. 1984. Fishes of Virginia (tentative)..

6477* Reynolds, W.W., Casterlin, M.E. 1978. Ontogenetic change 
in preferred temperature and diel activity of the yellow 
bullhead, Ictalurus natalis. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A Comp. 
Physiol. 59.:409-411.

6478* Reynolds, W.W., Casterlin, M.E. 1977. Diel activity in the 
yellow bullhead. Prog. Fish-Cult. 39.:132-133.

6479* Schoffman, R.J. 1965. Age and rate of growth of the yellow 
bullhead in Reelfoot Lake, Tennessee. J. Tenn. Acad. Sci. 
30.:4-7.

TN5002* Eagar, D. and R.H. Hatcher, editors. 1980. Tennessee's 
rare wildlife Volume I: the vertebrates. Tennessee Wildlife 
Resources Agency, Nashville, TN.

TN5057* Etnier, D.A. unpublished. Fishes of Tennessee. 
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.

TN5058* Clay, W.M., 1975. The Fishes of Kentucky. Kentucky Dept. 
of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Frankfort, KY. 416p.

TN5072* Lee, D.S., C.R. Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D.A. 
McAllister, and J.R. Stauffer, Jr. (editors). 1980 et seq. Atlas 
of North American Freshwater Fishes. N.C. State Museum of 
Natural History, Raleigh, NC.

TN5168* Tennessee State Code

TN5176* Becker, G.C. 1983. Fishes of Wisconsin. The University 
of Wisconsin Press, Madison, WS 1052p.

TN5177* Cooper, E.L. 1983. Fishes of Pennsylvania and the 
northeastern United States. The Pennsylvania State University 
Press, University Park, Penn. 243p.