Iowa DNR
BioNet
River & Stream Biological Monitoring
Fish and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Surveys
Physical Habitat Assessments

Yellow Bullhead Ameiurus natalis

Family
Ictaluridae (Catfishes)
Tolerance
Intermediate
Trophic Class
Benthic Invertivore
Is Exotic to Iowa?
False
Is Lithophilous Spawner?
False
Is Hybrid?
False
State Listing Status
Not Listed
Assessment Program Statistics

This species was found at 271 bioassessment sites, 17 rapid fish bioassessment sites, 61 fisheries assessment sites, and 4 fisheries presence-only assessment sites. In total, it was collected at 345 distinct sites, or 23.9% of the 1441 total sites monitored by the bioassessment program. It is the 22nd most commonly collected species.

The Yellow Bullhead was collected in 495 bioassessment sampling sessions and 140 fisheries assessment sessions. It was present in 17 rapid bioassessment sessions and 4 presence-only sessions.

The biological assessment program has collected a total of 2,345 individual Yellow Bullhead specimens, ranking it the #49 most collected fish.

Species Characteristics

Light olive-brown to yellow on top, with a white or cream belly. It can be immediately distinguished from other bullheads by the white or cream-colored barbels or whiskers on the chin. The tail is rounded. There are 24 to 27, usually 25 or 26, rays in the anal fin.

Species Distribution Maps

HUC12 watersheds where this species has been found