BULLHEADS

(Genus Ictalurus)

THE FISH 

Size, Shape, and Color

Though truly members of the catfish family, bullheads are different enough in size and body shape to be treated as a separate species, the subgroup Ictalurus. While they share the catfish traits of four pairs of barbels and spines on their dorsal and pectoral fins, bullheads seldom grow bigger than 15 inches and weigh from one to four pounds. As well, their tail is square or only slightly indented, and their general body shape is best described as stocky.

Of the three separate strains -- browns (Ictalurus nebulosus), yellows (Ictalurus natalis), and blacks (Ictalurus melas) -- only the first two appear in a wide enough range to merit our attention here. Both display a typical olive to brown to black upper body, lighter sides, and a dirty white to yellow or white underbelly. Browns may exhibit dark mottled patches on their flanks.

Yellow bullheads are slightly bigger than their brown cousins. Despite their size, their meat is delightfully tasty (and you have very few bones with which to contend).

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