What is the difference between catfish and bullheads

However, there are some differences in spawning behavior. The male catfish creates holes in the river embankment or around brush piles where its eggs are laid and hatched. However, the bullhead would rather lay spawn at the bottom of the river, in the murky waters which can provide a hiding place for the fry after hatching.

The similarities in the feeding pattern between catfish and bullheads make it easy for anglers to choose the right bait when they go catfishing. It is essential to use bait that will attract the fish to take bites. Bullheads are notably more sensitive to bait because of their bodies which are not covered in scales. Generally, both fish are delicious; hence they are a favorite catch and sought by anglers in many parts of the world.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They range in length from 8 to 14 inches and typically weigh 1 to 2 pounds. Their fins contain saw-toothed spines that they use for defense; these cause an uncomfortable sting upon contact.

The back is darker brown and the belly is yellow. Channel catfish are sleeker in form, with a narrower mouth and deeply split tail. They often reach 20 inches in length and 25 pounds in weight.

The back is brown to bluish, and the belly is silvery white. The difference between them could be evaluated as equivalent to the difference between Asian elephants and Sri Lankan elephants.

This article summarizes most of the important features of catfish and discusses the differences with bullheads mainly in terms of naming. Catfish is a major group of fishes with a great array of diversity. They are classified under the Order: Siluriformes that consists of 38 extant taxonomic families. There are more than 3, species of catfish described under more than genera. Catfish are so named due to the presence of barbels those look like the whiskers of cats. They vary in their size considerably, as the largest member, Mekong Giant Catfish, weighs more than kilograms, whereas the smallest species, Vandellia cirrhosa , is a very tiny parasitic catfish.

It would be important to note that not all the catfish have barbels on their face, as members of the Order: Siluriformes have been described based on the skull and swim bladder features.

It does not reach as much in body length as the catfish. The dorsal side is dark brown, and the ventral side is yellow. They belong to the order Siluriformes too. Bullheads are found all around the central parts of the United States. Stagnant or slow-paced water having soft bottoms are their primary habitats. They assemble in confined spaces, especially under dams. They are very tolerant and can also adjust to low oxygen levels. Large parts of Europe are inhabited by these fishes.

Being omnivorous, they feed upon seaweed , crustaceans, snails etc. Bullheads have an interesting hibernation technique which they practice to survive in low temperatures. When the winter arrives, they decrease their food intake or stop eating and bury themselves near the shoreline. They are smaller in size, can reach up to a maximum of 8 to 14 inches and can merely go around 1kg in terms of body weight. The largest species of bullhead is around 24 inches in length.

The fishes possess spines at the bottom parts of their dorsal and pectoral find. These spines come to aid for defence by cutting predators.

Bullheads are not very widely preferred for commercial purposes as they compete with other catfish for food.