Country Species Summary

Ameiurus melas in USA (contiguous states)
Black bullhead

Ameiurus melas (Rafinesque, 1820)
Family:	Ictaluridae (North American freshwater catfishes)	picture (Ammel_u2.jpg) by Delgado Saez, J.A.
Order:	Siluriformes (catfish)
Class:	Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
FishBase name:	Black bullhead
Max. size:	66.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 40637); max. published weight: 3,620 g (Ref. 4699); max. reported age: 10 years
Environment:	demersal; amphidromous; pH range: 6.5 - 8; dH range: 4 - 25 ; depth range - 10 m
Climate:	temperate; 8 - 30°C; 52°N - 26°N
Global Importance:	fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial
Resilience:	Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tmax=10; Assuming tm=3)
Distribution:	North America: Great Lakes to northern Mexico. Confusion over the taxonomic status of this species together with Ameiurus nebulosus resulted in more doubts as to which of the two is present in some countries. In Europe it forms dense stunted populations which makes it unpopular. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Biology:	Inhabits pools, backwaters, and sluggish current over soft substrates in creeks and small to large rivers; impoundments, oxbows, and ponds. Nocturnal feeder, young consume immature insects, leeches, and crustaceans while adults also feed on clams, snails, plant material, and fishes (Ref. 1998, 9669, 10294). Edible (Ref. 1998). Are susceptible of being caught, where they are abundant, with baited lines intended for other species. Is considered a nuisance (Ref. 30578). Often misidentified as A. nebulosus (Ref. 59043)
Threatened:	Not Evaluated, see IUCN Red List , (Ref. 36508)
Dangerous:	potential pest
Coordinator:
Main Ref:	Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr. 1991. (Ref. 5723)
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USA (contiguous states) country information
Common names:	Black bullhead, Bullhead, Catfish	Ref: Randolph, S. and M. Snyder, 1993
Status:	native	Ref:
Salinity:	freshwater
Abundance:	abundant (always seen in some numbers)	Ref:
Uses:	live export: live food; gamefish: yes
Comments:	Recorded from the central North America east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Appalachians (Ref. 10294). A popular fish sold in live fish markets. Found in 3 out of 6 live fish markets near the Lakes Erie and Ontario (Ref. 53249). Also Ref. 276, 1998.
States/Provinces:	Missouri (native) Tennessee (native) Texas (native)
States/Provinces Complete?:	No
Country Information:	www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/us.html
National Fisheries Authority:	www.nmfs.gov
Occurrences:	Occurrences Point map
Main Ref:	Cross, J.N., 1985
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Modified: Ortañez, Auda Kareen

Entered: Froese, Rainer

CGNET - US

Page created by: Eli, 20.10.03, last modified by Eli, 26.06.07

	Ref.:		Glossary
		(e.g. 9948)		(e.g. cephalopods)
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