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t is the last month of 2023 and before we enter 2024 we pay a visit to the North American catfish family, Ictaluridae, and the "White Catfish" Ameirus catus. This species is similar looking to Ictalurus furcatus and I. punctatus but differs in that it has 24 or fewer anal fin rays (vs usually more that 24). It differs from other catfishes in having a moderately forked caudal fin (seen below), vs. caudal fin squarish, rounded, or slightly emarginate.

   Ameiurus catus

The white bullhead is native to river systems of the Eastern United States from the Hudson River in New York to the Peace River in Florida and west to the Apalachicola River, Florida. White bullheads may have migrated naturally into Connecticut rivers as a result of the white bullhead's salt tolerance. Elsewhere, the white bullhead has been widely introduced as a food and game fish, notably into California waters as a result of intentional stocking near Stockton in 1874. It has additionally become established in the Columbia River basin and in Puerto Rico as an introduced species. It was reportedly introduced to the Philippines but did not become established there. Escapees from fee-fishing ponds and stocked lakes have led to the establishment of the white bullhead in Missouri (Wikipedia).

     Ameiurus catus

The White Catfish, a native of Atlantic coastal streams, lakes and ponds, was introduced in Arkansas lakes and ponds around the state because it is reportedly easy to catch and attains a desirable size.

The native range encompasses Atlantic and Gulf slopes of North America, from southern Maine to the Peace River drainage, Florida, and west to the Mobile Bay drainage, Mississippi (Page and Burr 2011). This catfish has been introduced widely outside its native range. This species is of local importance as a game fish.

White Catfish

Ictalurus catus, Silurus catus

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North America: Atlantic and Gulf coast drainages from Hudson River to Pascagoula River, Mississippi; introduced elsewhere.

95.0cm. (38ins) TL.

18-25°C (63-77°F)

Broad head with a moderately forked caudal fin, short rounded anal fin with 22-24 rays, and the upper jaw projecting beyond the lower jaw. Anal fin base short, usually 4.3-5.2 times into SL. A gap in the body ridge between the head and dorsal fin consistently present.

Not really a candidate for the home aquarium as they grow too large and not recommended as with the smaller bullheads such as A. melas, A. natalis or A. nebulosus.

Spawning occurs from April to July when the water temperature ranges between 65-75 F. A gelatinous mass of eggs is deposited in a cavity created by hollow logs or undercut banks. The male guards the nest and incubates the eggs by continually fanning fresh water over them.

Not recorded

Feeds on wide variety of fishes, insects and crustaceans.

Anal fin: The median, unpaired, ventrally located fin that lies behind the anus, usually on the posterior half of the fish.
Adipose fin: Fleshy finlike projection without rays, behind the rayed dorsal fin.
Barbels: Whisker-like structure on the heads of most catfish.
Caudal fin: The tail.
Dorsal fin: The primary rayed fin(s) on top of the body.

Ameiurus: a-, without; meiosis, to reduce; urus, tailed, literally “not curtailed,” referring to absence of deep notch in caudal fin compared to forked tail of Ictalurus.
catus: Latin for cat, referring to its cat-like whiskers.

Photo Credits

© Tim Aldridge
© jrfleullan
© Map: © By U.S. Geological Survey