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Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Ameiurus nebulosus  (Lesueur, 1819)
Common Names Brown Bullhead
Brun Dværgmalle (Denmark)
Type Locality Delaware River, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Synonym(s) Ameiurus lacustris, Ameiurus vulgaris, Amiurus catus, Amiurus nebulosus, Amiurus vulgaris, Ictalurus nebulosus, Pimelodus atrarius, Pimelodus catus, Pimelodus felis, Pimelodus nebulosus, Pimelodus vulgaris, Silurus coenosis
Pronunciation Ai MEE you russ - neb you low suss
Etymology Ameiurus: ''curtailed'' refers to the lack of a deep notch in the caudal fin. The specific epithet, nebulosus, means cloud and refers to the cloudy yellowish-brown colour.
Down Species Information
Size 550mm or 21.7" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Similar to Ameiurus melas but has 5-8 large saw like teeth on rear of pectoral spine. There is a mottled colour form (previously known as the subspecies Ameiurus nebulosus marmoratus) which occurs in the South East US and can readily be confused with Ameiurus serracanthus, aside from having more than double the aforementioned fin spine serrations, the latter species has a black oval blotch at the juncture of the dorsal fin with the upper back.
Sexing Females much fuller bodied during breeding season. This occurs during early spring.
General Remarks Occurs in pools and sluggish runs over soft substrates in creeks and small to large rivers. Also found in impoundments, lakes, and ponds. Has been known to bury itself in the soft sand substrate when water conditions are toxic.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution North America: Atlantic and Gulf Slope drainages from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in Canada to Mobile Bay in Alabama in USA, and St. Lawrence-Great Lakes, Hudson Bay and Mississippi River basins from Quebec west to Saskatchewan in Canada and south to Louisiana, USA. Introduced into several countries. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction. Asia: Iran and Turkey.
North American Atlantic Drainages (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Gulf Coast Drainages (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Gulf Coast Drainages, Mississippi (click on these areas to find other species found there)
North American Atlantic Drainages, Great Lakes (click on these areas to find other species found there)
North American Atlantic Drainages, Saint Lawrence (click on these areas to find other species found there)
North American Atlantic Drainages, Great Lakes (click on these areas to find other species found there)
North American Atlantic Drainages, Hudson (click on these areas to find other species found there)
North American Atlantic Drainages, Florida waters (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2011.
pH 6.6 - 7.6
Temperature 24.5-26.0°C or 76.1-78.8°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Surprisingly tolerant of water with low dissolved oxygen levels.
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding A nocturnal feeder that feeds mollusks, insects, leeches, crayfish and plankton, worms, algae, plant material, fishes and has been reported to feed on eggs, of least, cisco, herring and lake trout. User data.
Furniture Larger, open layout aquarium with sand substrate. A couple larger driftwood logs to hide under is all that is required for refuge.
Compatibility Social with most anything they can not swallow, to be on the safe side do not house with anything less than half it's own size.
Breeding Not reported in the aquarium.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Down Further Information
Reference Mémoires du Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris v. 5, pp 149.
Registered Keepers There are 23 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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Last Update 2020 Oct 24 05:42 (species record created: 2001 Apr 25 00:00)