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Down Cat-eLog Data Sheet
Scientific Name Ameiurus serracanthus  (Yerger & Relyea, 1968)
Common Names Spotted Bullhead
Hvidplettet Dværgmalle (Denmark)
Type Locality Northern shore of Lake Talquin, 6.8 miles west-southwest of Ochlockonee River, Gadsden County, Florida, U.S.A.
Synonym(s) Ictalurus serracanthus
Pronunciation Ai MEE you russ
Etymology Ameiurus: ''curtailed'' refers to the lack of a deep notch in the caudal fin. This specific epithet, serracanthus, refers to the serrated pectoral spine.
Down Species Information
Size 280mm or 11" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification One of the easier ictalurids to recognize. It has a relatively dark body with many small bold white spots which no other bullhead has. There is a dark oval blotch at the base of the dorsal fin. The upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw. Caudal fin and the relatively short rounded anal fin have a distinct narrow black margin. Not to be confused with the southern mottled form of Ameiurus nebulosus.
Sexing Females are much fuller bodied during breeding season. This occurs during early spring.
General Remarks A spectacular looking fish. A great catfish to keep for those looking for a smaller predatory fish. In the wild, it has a limited distribution and is not commonly found even in its own range.
Down Habitat Information
Distribution North America: Gulf Coastal Plain in Suwannee, St. Marks, Ochlockonee, Apalachicola and St. Andrews Bay drainages of northern Florida, southern Georgia and southeastern Alabama in the USA.
North American Atlantic Drainages, Florida waters (click on these areas to find other species found there)
North American Atlantic Drainages, Southern Georgia 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 - 8.4
Temperature 15.0-24.0°C or 59-75.2°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Very tolerant generally even towards brackish water.
Down Husbandry Information
Feeding Omnivorous. Diet includes fish, aquatic invertebrates and some green matter. User data.
Furniture A sand substrate with stones and large piece of driftwood to hide under during the day is very desirable.
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 known in the aquarium.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Down Further Information
Reference Copeia 1968 (no. 2), pp 373, Fig. 4.
Registered Keepers There are 10 registered keepers, view all "my cats" data.
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There are 2 wishes to keep this species, see who wants what.
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There are 4 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
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Last Update 2020 Oct 20 06:53 (species record created: 2003 Aug 23 00:00)