Ameiurus platycephalus
Photo by R. E. Jenkins
Ameiurus platycephalus
Photo by R. E. Jenkins
NORTH AMERICAN (or BULLHEAD) CATFISHES
With 49 species, Ictaluridae, the Bullhead Catfish family is the largest family of freshwater fishes endemic to North
America. Bullhead catfishes are easy to recognize from other North American freshwater fishes. They have no scales, 4
pairs of barbels ("whiskers") around the mouth, an adipose fin, stout spines at the dorsal and pectoral fin origins (except
some cave species), and pelvic fins on the abdomen. Members of this family are active mainly at night in contrast to the
other large groups of North American freshwater fishes - minnows, darters, and suckers -- which are primarily active
during daylight. Glandular cells in the skin surrounding the fin spines of some species, especially madtoms, contain
venom, and a person can be "stung" by a catfish. Reaction to the sting of a madtom varies with the individual but is
generally considered equivalent to a bee sting.
The Flathead and Blue Catfishes, the giants of the family at about 132 lb. (60 kg) and over 5 ft. (1.5 m) in length, and
several other large species, especially the widely marketed Channel Catfish, are of major commercial, angling, and aquacultural
value.
Ictalurids are organized into 7 genera:
Ictalurus, with 7 species, including the familiar Channel Catfish.
Ameiurus, with 7 species including the Yellow, Black and Brown Bullheads.
Noturus, containing 30 small species known as madtoms.
Pylodictis, containing only the Flathead Catfish.
Satan and Trogloglanis, each containing 1 species of cave-inhabiting species in
Texas.
Prietella, containing 2 species of cave-inhabiting species in Mexico.
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