NPSpecies

The data source confirming park status is over 10 years old. The park status value was chosen due to the lack of current evidence for the occurrence of this species in the park.; Data Source: Britt, 1993

Data Source: Britt, 1993

Park Species Detail: Britt, 1993: Ameiurus natalis, yellow bullhead (resident, native). The yellow bullhead is distributed throughout most of central and eastern North America. In the United States, it ranges from the Connecticut River southward along the East Coast to Florida, westward along the Gulf Coast to southern Texas, and north to Minnesota. It is commonly found in vegetated areas of shallow, clear lakes and ponds, reservoirs, and slow moving streams. The yellow bullhead is more tolerant of polluted environments than most catfish. Adults are commonly 7 to 13.5 inches long and weigh 0.4 to 1.3 pounds. The yellow bullhead is a scavenger and feeds primarily at night. It uses taste and smell to locate food. Its diet consists of small fishes, dragonfly nymphs, crayfish, mollusks and some vegetation. Spawning begins in May and June, as water temperature rises. Sexual maturity is reached in 3 years. During spawning, mature fish move to shallow waters for nesting. Nesting sites vary. The nest may be a shallow depression in open water or a burrow in a bank. Other nests may be hidden in vegetation or under debris. Eggs are cream-colored and glutinous. Eggs are released in bunches of 300 to 700 and may be as many as 2,000 to 4,000. Hatching occurs 5 to 10 days after fertilization. The male yellow bullhead herds the young until they are capable of surviving on their own. Yellow bullhead were collected from Rock Creek during the present study., Park Species Data Source: Britt et al 1993