[Dalic]

Scientific name: Ameiurus natalis

Common name: Yellow bullhead

Profile Credit: Scorpio
Photo Credit: Oddball

Maximum size: 18 inches though the size may vary if captive.

P.H. 7.0, but have been found in water with levels as low as 4.5 to 4.9

Minimum tank size: Depends on the subject. Most bullheads don't grow that large though there are exceptions to every rule. If you aren't trying to grow out the bullhead then a 75 or a 100 gallon should do nicely. But be prepared for the possibility for it to get much bigger depending on its diet.

Environment: The yellow bullhead is a nocturnal fish that prefers murky muddy environments with a lot of plants for cover. It prefers to make its home in hollow driftwood, dark caves and in general any place it can feel safe. Placement of its shelter should be somewhere in the back among plants, keeping in mind it can be easily spooked especially when turning the light on in the morning. Being that it prefers plants, special attention should be paid to the plants to keep them from being uprooted.

Tank mates: Anything that can’t fit in its mouth. It can be an awesome predator by ambushing sleeping fish.

Diet: Omnivore. As stated above, it can and will ambush sleeping fish of the proper size. If it's diet is to include live feeders, keep in mind it will go to the bottom of the tank and swiftly swim to the top, eating the sleeping fish, possibly banging into the top of your tank. Larger specimens will move the top quite a bit so proper securement is important if using live feeders. It will eat anything from sinking wafers, carnivore sticks, any sinking pellets, shrimp cut to size, scallops, beef heart, krill, bloodworms worms, night crawlers and much, much more.

Native location: North America.

Temp: 45-87 recommended, it can also tolerate extreme temperatures for short periods of time. From personal experience, my Yellow Bullhead was one of only a few North American natives to live thru a major heater malfunction where the temperature went well over 100 degrees for the better half of a day.

Notes: They can be very tolerant to low oxygenated water and poor water conditions in general. A great beginner fish if purchased at the right size and excellent survivor to injury. I had one that years ago was literally half eaten by a snake head. So badly so that he couldn't swim. I placed him in a hospital tank, placed food near him, added salt to the water to help him heal and he did so. The yellow bullhead will not be seen during the daytime, but can be observed with a gentile "moonlight" at night, incorporated into your lighting system.

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