Fish, bullhead catfish family
Black bullhead
- Maximum length
- 66cm
- Maximum weight
- 3,6kg
- Best water temperature
- 15–28 °C
- Water today (4.1 °C)
- Tolerates it, but slowed down
- Fishing districts near where it occurs
- 14
About the species Black bullhead
How to recognise it
Eight barbels around the mouth, no scales, an adipose fin and a stiff spine in the dorsal and pectoral fins. Dark to black body.
Where it lives
Still and slow waters, often in dense populations. Originates from North America.
What it feeds on
Omnivore, including eggs and small fish.
Spawning
In summer; the male guards the nest.
Invasive species. Watch out for the spines on the fins, which sting painfully. Never release it into other waters.
Water temperature and requirements
At what temperature the species is active and how well today's water suits it.
Tolerates it, but slowed downTypical water in Slovakia is 4.1 °C today. The species tolerates this temperature (4 to 34 °C), but the water is colder than the ideal 15 to 28 °C. Fish tend to be slower and pickier.
- tolerates 4 to 34 °C
- best 15 to 28 °C
- spawning at 20 to 25 °C
- typical water today 4.1 °C
- Length
- up to 66 cm
- Weight
- up to 3.6 kg
- Oxygen
- Tolerates low oxygen
- Position in the food chain
- 3,2omnivore and small animals
The values are indicative and come from the FishBase database. In a particular water, fish behave according to the weather, air pressure, oxygen and food.
Where it was recorded
Fishing districts around which a record of this species exists (GBIF).
- Dunaj č. 3
- Dunaj č. 3 – zdrž VD (Hrušov – Čunovo)
- Dunaj č. 3 – MR Malý Zemník
- Dunaj č. 3 – MR Veľký Zemník
- Štrkovisko Kalinkovo
- Štrkovisko Rusovce
- Dunaj č. 3 – prívodný kanál VD
- Štrkovisko Malé Čunovo
- Štrkovisko Veľké Čunovo
- Ipeľ č. 6
- Štrkovisko Horný Bar
- Štrkovisko Rapovce
- Štrkovisko Veľká nad Ipľom I.
- Štrkovisko Veľká nad Ipľom II.
14 fishing districts in total. Show on map
Similar species
Photo credits
- Black bullhead: Photo: George Chernilevsky, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Brown bullhead: Photo: author not stated, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons
- Wels catfish: Photo: HalbsHännile, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Minimum sizes, protection periods and permitted fishing methods are set by the fishing regulations and the conditions of the specific fishing district. Check them before you fish.