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TextCatfish - Family Ictaluridae
BROWN BULLHEAD - Ameiurus nebulosus
Fish Notes
The brown bullhead is a member of the catfish family and is closely related to the yellow bullhead. The distinguishing characteristic between brown and yellow bullheads is that the brown bullhead has dark whiskers on the lower lip while the yellow bullhead has yellow whiskers on the lower lip. The brown bullhead has been found at 10 percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 15 inches, rarely to 18 inches
Diet: Aquatic insects, fish and algae
YELLOW BULLHEAD - Ameiurus natalis
Fish Notes
With its wide distribution in Virginia, the yellow bullhead is the most commonly caught catfish. As its name implies, the yellow bullhead has yellow whiskers below its mouth. The yellow bullhead was found at 53 percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 14 inches, rarely to 18 inches
Diet: Aquatic insects and fish
CHANNEL CATFISH - Ictalurus punctatus
Fish Notes
The channel catfish is a large fish that usually inhabits large rivers and lakes. Specimens collected during Fairfax County surveys were most likely fish that were pushed out of upstream lakes during high rains or fish that traveled up the streams from larger rivers like the Potomac. The Virginia state record is 31 pounds, 8 ounces. Channel catfish were found at three percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: No
Size: 28 inches, rarely to 35 inches
Diet: Aquatic invertebrates, fish and other vertebrates
MARGINED MADTOM - Noturus insignis
Fish Notes
Like all catfish, the margined madtom has hard spines in its dorsal and pectoral fins. To varying degrees, catfish in the family ictaluridae have venom in their spines with the madtoms inflicting the most painful sting. The sting from a madtom feels like a bee sting. The margined madtom was found at 18 percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 7 inches
Diet: Aquatic insects and fish
WHITE CATFISH - Ameiurus catus
Fish Notes
The white catfish is only found in the tidal areas of Fairfax County. This catfish can live as long as 14 years. The Virginia state record is 7 lbs 6 oz. The white catfish was found at one Fairfax County sampling site.
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 18 inches, rarely to 20 inches
Diet: Aquatic invertebrates, fish and plant material
References
Jenkins, R. E., N. M. Burkhead, 1994, Freshwater Fishes of Virginia, 1079 pgs., American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD
For more information, please email the Stormwater Planning Division or call 703-324-5500, TTY 711.
Distribution maps are based on sampling data collected between 1999 and 2011.
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