Ameiurus serracanthus
Spotted Bullhead
Larry Page
Identification
The Spotted Bullhead is gray or blue-black above with a yellow-gold cast, gray to white below, and covered with gray-white spots. The fins are edged in black, and there is a large dark blotch at the base of the dorsal fin. The pectoral spine has 15-20 sawlike teeth on its rear edge. The anal fin is short and rounded with 20-23 rays. The first gill arch has 12-14 rakers. To 10 3/4 in. (28 cm) total length.
Range
Spotted Bullheads live in streams on the Gulf Coastal Plain in the Suwannee, St. Marks, Ochlockonee, Apalachicola, and St. Andrews Bay drainages of northern Florida, southern Georgia, and southeastern Alabama. The Spotted Bullhead is uncommon.
Distribution of Ameiurus serracanthus. © Larry Page
Habitat
Most Spotted Bullheads are found in current in deep rock- or sand-bottomed pools of small to medium swift rivers. The species is also found in impoundments.
Similar Species
The Spotted Bullhead is the only North American catfish with light round spots on a dark body.
Title Illustrations
| Scientific Name | Ameiurus serracanthus |
|---|---|
| Location | Suwannee River, Levy Co., FL |
| Specimen Condition | Dead Specimen |
| Identified By | Noel Burkhead |
| Life Cycle Stage | Juvenile |
| Copyright | © Noel Burkhead |
About This Page
Larry Page
Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida, USA
Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to Larry Page at and Griffin Sheehy at
Page copyright © 2007 Larry Page
All Rights Reserved.
- First online 23 May 2007
- Content changed 23 May 2007
Citing this page:
Page, Larry. 2007. Ameiurus serracanthus . Spotted Bullhead. Version 23 May 2007 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Ameiurus_serracanthus/69829/2007.05.23 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
