Seasonal Changes

Both species spawn in late spring and early summer over sand to gravel bottoms in shallow, warm-water lakes and ponds, and slow-moving streams. Moderate to heavy vegetation is preferred to provide additional protection for the fry.

Bullheads fashion tiny saucer shaped nests in the protection of over hanging banks, submerged stumps, or logs -- even discarded tires or other suitable cover -- and guard their territory tenaciously. In typical catfish manner, they brood heir young until they reach about two inches in length, at which time he young are left on their own. They travel in loose groups and use their barbels to sense food by touch and smell since their visibility is limited. Their habits are mainly nocturnal, which, in addition to a defensive apparatus on the fins that can inflict painful wounds, gives them adequate protection. On cloudy days, however, they will feed in early morning and during the day. They are mainly bottom feeders, eating aquatic insect larvae, crayfish, mollusks, plant material, and the occasional fish. (Figure 4-1.)

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