Is this a Black Bullhead or a yellow?

[xRage10]

You really shouldn't come on here to ask for an opinion, then fight it when a lot of people in here completely disagree with you. Just starts the commotion and such

I say it looks like a brown also, but hey, that's just me. You can say it is whatever you want it to be

 

[Hoyo12]

You can say it is whatever you want it to be

lol, I like that idea!

 

[ShadowBass]

It's FOR SURE not a yellow, so whoever said that needs to look up the anal fin ray count that yellows normally have (higher than a black, usually higher than a brown). And the other characteristics aren't indicative of a yellow either (they have a rounded tail fin and white or light colored chin barbels).

It's either a brown or a black, but it does not 100% fit the characteristics of a brown IMO (though yes, browns can be unmottled, so that's not a species indicator).

For educational purposes let me post the fish with some characteristics highlighted:

Black/dark colored chin barbels that are only white at the base. This is indicative of either black or brown, does not distinguish either species. Does indicate the fish is not a yellow though.

End of caudal fin is somewhat indented. This is a characteristic of both browns and blacks, but does indicate it is not a yellow.

19 to 20 anal fin rays. Rarely do browns have such a low fin ray count, but it is possible. Yellows have a higher ray count, so this indicates it is not one.

Wide white colored line on BODY near base of tail. VERY indicative of a black bullhead. I don't think I have seen this on a brown. When they have a wide lightish colored line it is generally ON the tail fin at the base.

The only other way I can think to elminate one species from possibility is to know where the fish is caught and know whether either one is not present in that water source.

 

[ShadowBass]

The above are the best identifying characteristics between bullheads I know of, that don't require removing the fish from the water. knowing where the fish is caught is one of the best starts though, since often only one species tends to be found in that particular water source.

Other characteristics listed on websites (such as overall body color) are sketchy and may sometimes apply to any of the 3 bullhead species being discussed, so they are not good characteristics to ID species by. Some bullhead characteristics vary drastically depending on what region or waterway the fish was caught. It is only somewhat reliable if you know where the fish is caught and what characteristics bullheads in that area tend to show.

 

[Hoyo12]

A Yellow Bullhead is out of the question, how ever, whether or not it is a Black or Brown Bullhead is still not 100% positive, seems how they both share similiar characteristics.

 

[MinnowMagnet]

If thats a black whats this little fatass, its had to see his whiskers, but they don't look white.

 

[Hoyo12]

If thats a black whats this little fatass, its had to see his whiskers, but they don't look white.

Now THAT'S a Black Bullhead! See the difference?
Is it yours?

 

[MinnowMagnet]

its areally big one caught in the same place i got mine

 

[MinnowMagnet]

here is little one from that same spot

 

[ShadowBass]

If thats a black whats this little fatass, its had to see his whiskers, but they don't look white.

In likelyhood it's a black due to the wide band at the base of the tail. Can't see fin rays definitively.

Not a yellow for sure.

A Yellow Bullhead is out of the question, how ever, whether or not it is a Black or Brown Bullhead is still not 100% positive, seems how they both share similiar characteristics.

In all likelyhood the fish in his aquarium is a black due to the wide band at the base of the tail, and the low likelihood that browns have such a small fin ray count.

Many fish species cannot be 100% IDd by pictures, but from the characteristics in the pictures, especially the wide white band before the tail, I think black bullhead is the most likely ID we can get. Other characteristics that people have noted that are similar to browns, are the same for all bullhead species. (Body shape, color, head shape, etc.), and are variable due to regional varieties. The shape and color of black and brown bullheads here, in ohio, in california, minnesota, etc., are going to differ.
Black bullheads in this region tend to be dark and solid colored. In southern Minnesota I've caught both black and brown that are bright yellow, neither with motteling.