Bullhead Care

[Noto]

There's a lot of overlap and variability in pattern. Some important characters for ID are: color of chin barbels; presence or absence of dark margin on fins; number of anal fin rays; number of gill rakers. Gill rakers are hard to count in a live fish, but if you get the others, a positive ID should be possible.

 

[Destroyer551]

ok, I'm uploading some low quality pics right now.
Could you give me some species Identification keys?

 

[Destroyer551]

Here they are.

 

[Noto]

Hmm. I don't know of a key that covers your area. What area/what drainage was he caught in?

 

[Destroyer551]

North of the orlando area, rainwater runoff creek, found by netting along the edges of hyrilla.

 

[Noto]

None of the small bullhead species get so far south. Based on the dark fin margins, I'd say you most likely have a yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis). Are the chin barbels white? I can't tell from the photos.

 

[Destroyer551]

I dont think so, let me check, do you mean comepletly white?

 

[Noto]

Yeah. Not bright white, just unpigmented.

 

[Destroyer551]

Nope they are brown in color, but not black.

 

[Destroyer551]

Oh wait, I misread your post let me check again.