Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: BULLHEAD, BROWN

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: OSTEICHTHYES

Order: SILURIFORMES

Family: ICTALURIDAE

Genus: AMEIURUS

Species: NEBULOSUS

Taxonomic Authority: (LESUEUR)

Taxonomy References: 002

Status

GAME
STATE RANK S3?
GLOBAL RANK G5
STATE RANK S3?

Status References: 003 , 021 , 028

Habitat Summary

"Occurs in streams, ditches, swamps and impoundments. Prefers quiet, clear water with moderate to dense vegetation."

Primary Habitat: "Aquatic - river/stream"

References: 001 , 007

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Only self-sustaining natural population is at Duck Creek and Mingo NWR in Bollinger and Wayne counties. Has been stocked in ponds, but most stockings haven't resulted in established populations *001*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
BOLLINGER BUTLER ADAIR
JEFFERSON DUNKLIN ANDREW
NEW MADRID HOWARD ATCHISON
ST. CLAIR MISSISSIPPI AUDRAIN
WAYNE PEMISCOT BARRY
SCOTT BARTON
ST. FRANCOIS BATES
STODDARD BENTON
BOONE
BUCHANAN
CALDWELL
CALLAWAY
CAMDEN
CAPE GIRARDEAU
CARROLL
CARTER
CASS
CEDAR
CHARITON
CHRISTIAN
CLARK
CLAY
CLINTON
COLE
COOPER
CRAWFORD
DADE
DALLAS
DAVIESS
DEKALB
DENT
DOUGLAS
FRANKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GREENE
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOLT
HOWELL
IRON
JACKSON
JASPER
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MADISON
MARIES
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MILLER
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEWTON
NODAWAY
OREGON
OSAGE
OZARK
PERRY
PETTIS
PHELPS
PIKE
PLATTE
POLK
PULASKI
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
RIPLEY
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SHANNON
SHELBY
ST. CHARLES
ST. LOUIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STONE
SULLIVAN
TANEY
TEXAS
VERNON
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 001 , 006 , 020 , 024

Distribution by Watersheds

Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.
Miss R. from Ohio R. to Arkansas Border
St. Francis R. from Headwaters to Wappapello Dam
St. Francis R. from Wappapello Dam to Arkansas Border
Little R.
Osage R. from Headwaters to Warsaw, MO.

Comments: ""

Distribution by Ecoregions

Central Till Plains, Mississippi River Alluvial Plains, Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Oak-Hickory Forest
Southern Floodplain Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Big Rivers: Lower Missouri
Big Rivers: Upper Mississippi
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Lacustrine
Palustrine
Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"Lacustrine"
"Palustrine", "Forested, broad-leaved deciduous",
"Riverine"

References for Aquatic Associations: 001 , 007

Habitat Types:

Swamp
Pond, Lake, Reservoir
Permanent Stream

References for Habitat Types: 001 , 004 , 007

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Wetland
Swamps
Swamp
Pond Swamp

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 001 , 008 , 013 , 020

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Osteichthyes (bony fishes); Egg stage
Hemiptera (water bugs, water boatmen, stink bugs); Larva stage
Coleoptera (beetles); Larva stage
Trichoptera (caddisflies); Larva stage
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Larva stage
Insects Insects; Larva stage
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Larva stage
Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies); Larva stage
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Pupa stage
Protozoans; Not Specified
Roundworms; Not Specified
Bryozoans; Not Specified
Oligochaetes (earthworms); Not Specified
Bivalve molluscs; Not Specified
Snails; Not Specified
Arachnids (spiders, ticks, mites, scorpions, daddy longlegs); Not Specified
Crustaceans; Not Specified
Ostracods (Eucypris); Not Specified
Copepods (Cyclops, Calanus); Not Specified
Malacostraca (lobster, shrimp, crayfish, crabs); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Adult Stage

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits 007 , 009 , 027

Adult Food Habits

Trichoptera (caddisflies); Larva stage
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Larva stage
Insects Insects; Larva stage
Trichoptera (caddisflies); Pupa stage
Osteichthyes (bony fishes); Juvenile stage
Siluriformes (catfishes); Juvenile stage
Perciformes (bass, sunfishes, perches, drums, sculpins); Juvenile stage
Hemiptera (water bugs, water boatmen, stink bugs); Not Specified
Coleoptera (beetles); Not Specified
Osteichthyes (bony fishes); Not Specified
Aquatic Insects; Not Specified
Algae; Not Specified
Roundworms; Not Specified
Malacostraca (lobster, shrimp, crayfish, crabs); Not Specified
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); Not Specified
Odonata (dragonflies, damselflies); Not Specified
Oligochaetes (earthworms); Not Specified
Hirudineans (leeches); Not Specified
Bivalve molluscs; Not Specified
Snails; Not Specified
Crustaceans; Not Specified
Branchiopods (Daphnia, Cladocera); Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 007 , 009 , 010 , 011 , 019 , 023

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

Current velocity specified in comments(00150)

References for egg niches requirements: 015

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Turbidity: clear water
Bottom type: mud or silt
Aquatic vegetation: pondweed (Potamogeton)
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Density of aquatic vegetation: moderate
Density of aquatic vegetation: dense
Current velocity: no noticable current
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
Inland wetlands: oxbow

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 012 , 013 , 020

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for resting juvenile niche requirements:

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Turbidity: clear water
Siltation: low
Bottom type: sand
Underwater cover: log
Underwater cover: rocks
Aquatic vegetation
Density of aquatic vegetation: moderate
Density of aquatic vegetation: dense
Water level: permanently flooded
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Elevation 501-1000'
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
Inland wetlands: oxbow
Stream order: ninth order or greater stream

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 001 , 013 , 014 , 020 , 022 , 026

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Turbidity: clear water
Aquatic vegetation
Density of aquatic vegetation: moderate
Density of aquatic vegetation: dense
Current velocity: no noticable current
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
Inland wetlands: oxbow
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: ninth order or greater stream

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 001 , 008 , 013 , 020 , 026

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Turbidity: clear water
Aquatic vegetation
Density of aquatic vegetation: moderate
Density of aquatic vegetation: dense
Current velocity: no noticable current
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: swamp
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
Inland wetlands: oxbow
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: ninth order or greater stream

References for resting adult niche requirements:

Niche Requirement Summary

Aquatic vegetation
Aquatic vegetation specified in comments(00120)
Aquatic vegetation: pondweed (Potamogeton)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Current velocity specified in comments(00150)
Current velocity: no noticable current
Density of aquatic vegetation: dense
Density of aquatic vegetation: moderate
Elevation 501-1000'
Inland wetlands: ditch
Inland wetlands: oxbow
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: pond, lake, reservoir
Inland wetlands: swamp
Other niche requirements specified in comments(99999)
Siltation: low
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: ninth order or greater stream
Turbidity: clear water
Underwater cover specified in comments(00105)
Underwater cover: log
Underwater cover: rocks
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Water level: permanently flooded
Water temperature specified in comments(00010)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
008 Are seasonally monogamous *022*
022 Mature at 3 years in IA *011*
007 In KS, spawn May-July *013*. In NY, spawn during 1st 3 weeks of June *008*. In IA, spawn in late April or May *011*. In a NY study, spawned June 24-August 18, average July 15 *014*. In MI, breeding season late May-early June *022*
012 Typically spawn in rock cavities, under overhanging logs, roots, etc., or in objects such as sunken pails *014*. Nests commonly adjacent to stones, logs, or other shelter *013,015*
017 In NY study, incubation period was 6-10 days, average 8 *014*. In IA, incubation 5-8 days *011*. Incubation in MI average 13 days *022*
018 Average clutch in MI 1163 *022*. In IA, clutch size 2000-10,000 *011*. Clutch sizes of 50-2000 have been reported, number of ovarian eggs may reach 30,000 or more *016*. Another author reports clutch sizes of 50-500 *015*
020 Eggs hatch into sac larvae, yolk sac is absorbed in about 12 days *016*
021 Parents fan eggs, then attend young when they leave nest *014*. Male in principal care-giver. Adults care for eggs, larvae, and juveniles up to 20 days afteroviposition *022*
031 In CA study, approximately annual mortality was 23%, approximately annual natural mortality was 16% *017*
099 Larval stage maximum of 6 days *022*. Larvae can swim after 10-26 days, average 15 days *014*. Homing was exhibited in a lake Ontario study, except when fish were released in an area of thermal discharge *018*
038 In NY, young average 3" total length at end of 1st summer, a few reached 4" *008*. In IA, young were 2.5-4" long at end of 1st year *011*. Reach a weight of 2 pounds. Under ideal conditions *011*
039 In MO, adults commonly 7-15" long and weigh .3-2.2 pounds, maximum length and weight 18" and 3.7 pounds *001*. In IA, average 8-10" long and average weight less than 1 pound *011*.

Life History Information

Territoriality: defends nesting territory
Periodicity: active at night
Mortality rate specified in comments(031)
Age and growth information specified in comments(038)
Length-weight relationships specified in comments(039)
School during fry stage
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy: gleaning
Foraging sites: water
Foraging sites: feed on bottom of stream, lake or pond
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Mating system specified in comments(008)
Duration of pair bond: pair for one season
Spawning site specified in comments(012)
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Development of young at birth/hatching specified in comments(020)
Parental care of young: both parents
Parental care of young specified in comments(021)
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
008 Are seasonally monogamous *022*
022 Mature at 3 years in IA *011*
007 In KS, spawn May-July *013*. In NY, spawn during 1st 3 weeks of June *008*. In IA, spawn in late April or May *011*. In a NY study, spawned June 24-August 18, average July 15 *014*. In MI, breeding season late May-early June *022*
012 Typically spawn in rock cavities, under overhanging logs, roots, etc., or in objects such as sunken pails *014*. Nests commonly adjacent to stones, logs, or other shelter *013,015*
017 In NY study, incubation period was 6-10 days, average 8 *014*. In IA, incubation 5-8 days *011*. Incubation in MI average 13 days *022*
018 Average clutch in MI 1163 *022*. In IA, clutch size 2000-10,000 *011*. Clutch sizes of 50-2000 have been reported, number of ovarian eggs may reach 30,000 or more *016*. Another author reports clutch sizes of 50-500 *015*
020 Eggs hatch into sac larvae, yolk sac is absorbed in about 12 days *016*
021 Parents fan eggs, then attend young when they leave nest *014*. Male in principal care-giver. Adults care for eggs, larvae, and juveniles up to 20 days afteroviposition *022*
031 In CA study, approximately annual mortality was 23%, approximately annual natural mortality was 16% *017*
099 Larval stage maximum of 6 days *022*. Larvae can swim after 10-26 days, average 15 days *014*. Homing was exhibited in a lake Ontario study, except when fish were released in an area of thermal discharge *018*
038 In NY, young average 3" total length at end of 1st summer, a few reached 4" *008*. In IA, young were 2.5-4" long at end of 1st year *011*. Reach a weight of 2 pounds. Under ideal conditions *011*
039 In MO, adults commonly 7-15" long and weigh .3-2.2 pounds, maximum length and weight 18" and 3.7 pounds *001*. In IA, average 8-10" long and average weight less than 1 pound *011*.

References for life history: 001 , 007 , 008 , 011 , 013 , 014 , 015 , 016 , 017 , 018 , 022 , 023

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - develop/maintain lakes/ponds
Water - control sedimentation
Water - develop/maintain streamside vegetation
Water - stabilize streambanks
Agricultural - control erosion

Beneficial Management References: 006

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - dredging and filling
Water - control aquatic plants
Water - drainage of wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes
Water - other (specify in comments)

Adverse Management References: 006 , 018

Comments on Management:
Thermal discharge can interrupt or alter normal movement patterns, especially during migrations along shorelines *018*

References for Management Comments: 018

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Pflieger, W.L. 1997. The Fishes Of Missouri, Revised Edition. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 372 Pp.
002 Nelson, Joseph S., Edwin J. Crossman, Héctor Espinosa-Pérez, Lloyd T. Findley, Carter R. Gilbert, Robert N. Lea, and James D. Williams. 2004. Common And Scientific Names Of Fishes From The United States, Canada and Mexico (6th Ed.). Amer. Fish Soc. Spec.
003 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
004 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
005 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
006 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. Mo Dept. Of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
007 Keast, A. and D. Webb. 1966. Mouth And Body Form Relative To Feeding Ecology In The Fish Fauna Of A Small Lake, Lake Opicon, Ontario. J. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. 23:1847-1874.
008 Raney, E.C. and D.A. Webster. 1940. The Food And Growth Of The Young Of The Common Bullhead, Ameiurus Nebulosus Nebulosus (Le Sueur) In Cayugalake, New York. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 69(1939):205-209.
009 Cable, L.E. 1929. Food Of Bullheads. U.S. Comm. Fish. Rept. (1928): 27-41. Cited In Ref. 01.
010 Gunn, J.M. 1976. Algae As An Energy Source For The Omnivorous Brown Bullhead (Ictalurus Nebulosus) In The Ottowa River. M.Sc. Thesis, Univ. Ottowa, Canada. 88 Pp. Cited In Gunn, J.M., S.U. Qadri, and D.C. Mortimer. 1977. Filamentous Algae As A Food Source For The Brown Bullhead (Ictalurus Nebulosus). J. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada 34(3):396-401.
011 Harlan, J.R. and E.B. Speaker. 1951. Iowa Fish And Fishing (2nd Ed). Iowa Conser. Comm. Des Moines. 238 Pp.
012 Cranshaw, L.I. 1977. Attainment Of The Final Thermal Preferendum In Brown Bullheads Acclimated To Different Temperatures. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A. Comp. Physiol. 52(1):171-173.
013 Cross, F.B. 1967. Handbook Of Fishes Of Kansas. Univ. Ks Mus. Nat. Hist. Misc. Publ. 45. 357 Pp.
014 Breder, C.M. 1939. Variations In The Nesting Habits Of Ameiurus Nebulosus (Le Sueur). Zoologica 24(3):367-368.
015 Fowler, H.W. 1917. Some Notes On The Breeding Habits Of Local Catfishes. Copeia 42:32-36.
016 Breder, C.M. 1935. The Reproductive Habits Of The Common Catfish, Ameiurus Nebulosus (Le Sueur), With A Discussion Of Their Significance In Ontogeny And Phylogeny. Zoologica 19:143-185.
017 Mccammon, G.W. and C.M. Seeley. 1961. Survival, Mortality, And Movements Of White Catfish And Brown Bullheads In Clear Lake, California. Calif. Fish. and Game 47(3):237-255.
018 Kelso, J.R.M. 1974. Influence Of A Thermal Effluent On Movement Of Brown Bullhead (Ictalurus Nebulosus) As Determined By Ultrasonic Tracking. J. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada 31:1507-1513.
019 Keast, A. 1968. Feeding Of Some Great Lakes Fishes At Low Temperatures. J. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. 25(6):1199-1218.
020 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. The Stream Resources Of Missouri. D-J Project F-1-R-28. Study S-20. Mo Dept. Of Conserv., 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
021 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
022 Blumer, L.S. 1985. Reproductive Natural History Of The Brown Bullhead Ictalurus Nebulosus In Michigan. Amer. Midl. Nat. 114:318-328.
023 Stewart, E.M. and T.R. Finger. 1985. Diel Activity Patterns Of Fishes In Lowland Hardwood Wetlands. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 19:5-9.
024 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
025 Pflieger, W.L. 1989. Aquatic Community Classification System For Missouri. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Aquatic Series No. 19. 70 Pp + Supplement.
026 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. Collection Records. Mo Dept Of Conservation, 1110 College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. 573-882-9880.
027 Kline, J.L. and B.M. Wood. 1996. Food Habits And Diet Selectivity Of The Brown Bullhead. J. Freshwater Ecology. 11(2):145-151.
028 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.