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Ameiurus serracanthus (Yerger & Relyea 1968)

Spotted Bullhead

Larry Page
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Containing group: Ameiurus

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.

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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.

Other Names for Ameiurus serracanthus (Yerger & Relyea 1968)

Title Illustrations
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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

All Rights Reserved.

Citing this page:

Page, Larry. 2007. Ameiurus serracanthus (Yerger & Relyea 1968). 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/

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