Black Bullhead
Ameiurus melas
- Look for black or very dark barbels (whiskers) near the mouth. This is the clearest way to tell a black bullhead apart from brown or yellow bullheads, which have lighter-colored barbels.
- Check the tail fin. It is squared off at the corners (truncated), not forked like a channel catfish or blue catfish.
- Look for a tan or pale crescent-shaped band where the tail fin meets the body. This marking helps distinguish it from other bullheads.
- The back and sides are black or very dark brown, while the belly is yellow or white, and it tends to be darker overall than brown or yellow bullheads.