Baby catfish ID help?

[AutumnEffect]

I went poking around with my net this afternoon, and stumbled across a large group of tiny little catfish. I managed to catch one (fast little buggers!) and got some pictures of it. I let it go because I am not sure what kind it was and didn't want to bring it home only to find out it is not a fish for a realistic (150 - 300 gal) aquarium.

Here are the better pictures.














Someone I know said baby Channel catfish. Is he right?

 

[Mr.Catfish]

Looks like a black or maybe a brown bullhead.It's not a channel as it's tail is not forked. Not a madtom as it's adipose fin is not connected to it's tail.

 

[PrymeTyme-716]

i live in wny and i used to net those all the time for my redtail to eat theyre bullheads

 

[AutumnEffect]

Thanks guys!

I researched bullhead catfish, and I am thinking these are baby Yellow Bullhead catfish based on the fact the chin barbels are white.

Apparently, at this size ~1.5", they are about 2-3 weeks old. During the first year, they grow to about 4". Does this sound right? Are bullheads common in home aquariums? Well, common as native fish go...

 

[FLESHY]

Looks like a black or maybe a brown bullhead.It's not a channel as it's tail is not forked. Not a madtom as it's adipose fin is not connected to it's tail.

+1

Thanks guys!

I researched bullhead catfish, and I am thinking these are baby Yellow Bullhead catfish based on the fact the chin barbels are white.

Apparently, at this size ~1.5", they are about 2-3 weeks old. During the first year, they grow to about 4". Does this sound right? Are bullheads common in home aquariums? Well, common as native fish go...

Good research. The chin barbels are the distinguishing factor of a "natalis" however these guys hybridize like crazy, and I (barbels accounted for) thing it might have brown or black blood in it.

Browns have 17-21 anal rays...which is usually less than the other two.

Blacks are the ones that dont meet either of those specifications.

 

[davdev]

Are bullheads common in home aquariums? Well, common as native fish go...

It's not rare that they are kept, a bunch of people here have them. They do grow big though and will need 75 gallons as a minimum as they grow. I would love to grab a couple at this size, consider yourself lucky

 

[AutumnEffect]

Davdav - you want some? I can send you a couple if you want. Or grow them out for a few months and send them to you once the weather gets cooler....

I read in a couple places that they eat plants. I don't know how I feel about that as my growout tank is planted and I'd like to keep it that way.

Either way, I think I'll grab another one and bring it home. I have access to several ponds should it need another home down the road.

 

[davdev]

I would love 1 or 2 that are about 3-4" or so. Anything smaller would get eaten by my sunnies. Send me a PM

 

[AutumnEffect]

PM sent.

 

[Noto]

I agree that it looks like a yellow bullhead. I have one, about 8" long now. They grow fast and can be hard on other fish; mine has killed several tankmates, including much larger fish, while totally ignoring others. He now lives in solitary confinement. If you do want to include him in a community tank, I suggest you avoid other bottom-dwellers or slow-moving lurkers and stick with tough, fast fish. Most centrarchids and large minnows should be fine.