Channel Catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) By Josh Otten www.lmrcc.org.

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1 Channel Catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) By Josh Otten www.lmrcc.org

2 Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Also known as spotted cat, blue cat, river catfish, fiddler, willow cat Identification: skin instead of scales upper jaw longer than the lower jaw whiskers around mouth dorsal and pectoral spines are sharp and deeply serrated slender body/deeply forked tail anal fin curved/24-30 rays (blue has 30+) body is bluish silver on the sides and generally has dark spots shading to silvery white on belly www.sportfishworld.com

3 Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) www.aqua.ucdavis.edu

4 Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) ChannelFlathead Blue anal fin has 24-29 soft raystail not deeply forked 30 or more rays in the anal fin All photos http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us

5 Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) can live as long as 25 years state record 36 pounds 8 ounces max 60 pounds (world record 58 pounds) Typical Adult Length: about 24 inches Weight: about 20 pounds Life span: about 11 years

6 Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Habitat: found in most large streams, lakes, and many farm ponds prefer areas with deep water, clean gravel boulder substrates and low to moderate current tolerant of a wide range of conditions during the day found in deep holes with protection of logs and rock most movement occurs during feeding, around sunrise and sunset

7 Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Distribution www.roughfish.com catfish www.dlia.org www.iowadnr.com

8 Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Diet: use taste buds in the sensitive barbels and throughout the skin to locate prey primarily but not excessively bottom feeders omnivorous feeder/prefer smellier foods less than 14” primarily eat aquatic insect larvae and other invertebrates found on bottom over 14” primarily eat dead or alive fish also eat aquatic and terrestrial worms, frogs, crayfish, mollusks, mulberries, elm seeds and algae

9 Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Reproduction: sexual maturity comes at five to eight years of age begin spawning when water temperatures reach 70 °F male channel cat builds a nest in underwater holes, logs or among submerged rocks use natural cavities, undercut banks and muskrat burrows as nests female lays a gelatinous mass containing between 8,000 to 15,000 eggs parents remain over the nest to fan the eggs and guard the young after hatching

10 Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) Conservation: none but raised in hatcheries and fish farms and distributed commercially Economic Importance: commonly in supermarkets and on restaurant menus heavily stocked in any water that will hold them important commercial fish considered one of the best-eating freshwater fish most familiar and popular catfish in North America Ecological Importance forages bottom, cleans up carrion eats smaller fish www.catfishbaitshop.com

11 Refrences Becker, G. C. 1983. Fishes of Wisconsin. Univ. Wis. Press, Madison. Carlander, K. D. 1969. Handbook of freshwater fishery biology. Vol. 1. Life history data on freshwater fishes of the United States and Canada, exclusive of the Perciformes. Iowa St. Univ. Press, Ames. Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. Robinson, E.H., M.H. Li, and B.B. Manning. 2001. A Practical Guide to Nutrition, Feeds, and Feeding of Catfish (Second Revision). Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station Bulletin 1113. Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi. Scott, W. B. and E. J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater fishes of Canada. Fish. Res. Bd. Can. Bull. 184:1-966.

12 Yellow Bullhead Ameiurus natalis Family Ictaluridae

13 Ictaluridae Depressed body shape Flat head 4 sets of barbels Dark olive/brown with yellow sides and belly Small eyes Adipose fin present Lighter color barbels than Black Bullhead

14 Ictaluridae Up to 4 lbs. max W.R. 4.4 lbs Slightly mottled Black margin evident on anal and caudal fin

15 Ictaluridae Range: Southeastern Ontario West to Southern North Dakota and south throughout the Central and Eastern United States. Statewide IA: except N.W. corner http://www.dlia.org Iowa DNR

16 Ictaluridae Habitat: Ideal Temperature 72- 80 F. Highly Vegetated Rivers, Streams, Lakes, etc. with slow moving water Bottom Dwellers Photo by: Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves

17 Ictaluridae Diet: Minnows, Snails Larvae Crustaceans Aquatic Insects Benthic Foragers Forage mainly at night

18 Ictaluridae Reproduction: Spawn from May to Early June –Male Constructs Nest –Usually under structure (Stump) –2,000 – 5,000 eggs –Eggs Hatch in 5 – 10 days –Both parents guard young until late summer Photo by: E.R. Degginger

19 Ictaluridae Conservation Status: –Exotic Species –Proliferates well –Hardy –Main factor in lake degradation –Sediment mixing –Considered from Rough to Game fish –No Federal or State protection status –Survive extreme poor water conditions

20 References http://www.floridagame.com/freshfish/yellb ullc.asphttp://www.floridagame.com/freshfish/yellb ullc.asp http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLanding ES/Ecology/mpages/yellow_bullhead.htmhttp://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLanding ES/Ecology/mpages/yellow_bullhead.htm http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/ylb- card.htmlhttp://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/ylb- card.html http://www.dlia.org.http://www.dlia.org

21 Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas) Chris Steffen Other Local Names: Mudcat Distribution: Statewide Habitat: quiet river backwaters, impoundments, ponds, lakes, and slow moving streams typically over soft bottoms; tolerates muddy water, warm temps, and low oxygen concentrations www.biology.ucok.org Iowa DNR Identification: dark olive to black, belly white to bright yellow, tail fin slightly notched with light band at base

22 Barbed Pectoral Spines? Tail Shape Distinct Feature Chin Barbel Color Black Bullhead Brown Bullhead Yellow Bullhead Channel Catfish No Yes Slightly Notched Square Round Deeply Notched White to Dusky White, not pigmented Gray to Black Dark Spots on Sides Mottled Sides and Back Identification: Light band at base of tail fin

23 Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas) Ouachita National Forest Diet: insects, small fish, crayfish, frogs, plant material (live or dead); basically anything it can get in its mouth. Reproduction: female excavates a saucer- shaped nest in early summer and lays on average 2,000-6,000 eggs; one or both parents protect young until one to two inches long Conservation Status: common, sometimes considered an undesirable species

24 Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas) Commonly 6-10 inches World Record 8lbs. State Record 5lbs. 8oz. Gary Cole Murray State University Size:

25 Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas) Economic/Recreational value: popular species with Iowa’s anglers; in 1981 50,000 harvested in Mississippi river worth ~ $10,000 Los Vegas Wash Coordination Committee Ecological Importance: serves as prey species for piscivores when small; one of a few species able to survive under poor lake conditions

26 References: Ameiurus melas Eddy, S. and J.C. Underhill. 1978. How to Know the Freshwater Fishes. 3rd Edition. McGraw-Hill, Boston. 215 pp. Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Iowa’s threatened and endangered species. Available athttp://www. iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/blb-card.html. October 2004. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Minnesota Fish. Available at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/kids/fish/bull- head.html. October 2004. Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Fish and Wildlife. Available at http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Fish- ing/aquanotesfishid/chancat.htm. October 2004. Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr. 1991. Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 pp. Pflieger, W. L. 1997. The Fishes of Missouri, Revised Edition. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City Missouri.

27 Brown Bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus, LeSueur) Chris Lee Iowa DNR Other common names:Bullhead, horned pout, red cat, creek cat, mud cat, speckled bullhead, and common bullhead. Other scientific names:Ictalurus nebulosus (Armstrong 1962).

28 Identification: Olive to brown with dark mottlings on sides fading to cream/white underneath. Fleshy whiskers (barbels) dusty to black. Relatively short anal fin with 22-23 rays. Rear of caudal fin slightly notched. May be confused with Black bullhead, (Ameiurus melas). However, A. nebulosus has 5-8 large sawlike teeth on rear of pectoral spine whereas A. melas has none. Also, A. nebulosus does not have black membranes contrasting with pale rays on caudal and anal fins. www.landbigfish.com/fish/fish.cfm?ID=22 Brown Bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) Brown bullhead Black bullhead http://www.landbigfish.com/fish/fish.cfm?ID=20

29 Distribution: Not common anywhere in IA, but is widely distributed in the northern part of the state. Very few found in interior waters. Most taken from the upper Mississippi backwater sloughs. A. Nebulosus is native and common to the Atlantic and Gulf slope drainages. Brown Bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) Habitat: Slow moving or stagnant parts of rivers, and streams, also ponds, lakes, and pools that offer a soft bottom. Diet: Brown Bullheads are schooling bottom feeders that feed primarily on crustaceans, insect larvae, worms, snails, crayfish, and small fish, though they will eat virtually anything available, either alive or dead. A large part of their diet is midgefly larvae, or “bloodworms” which they pick up off of the soft bottom ooze. Teeth in pads on both top and bottom jaws; used for tearing food. They seem to have ravenous appetites and will eat day or night. Iowa DNR

30 Brown Bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) Reproduction: Spawn in late April or May. Males fan out a saucer- shaped nest where females lay 2,000 to 10,000+ eggs that hatch in 5-8. Both parents guard the eggs during incubation and herd young around for several weeks after hatching. Young reach 2-1/2 – 4 inches in first year and mature in 3 years. Can reach two pounds. (IA Record: 2-1/2 pounds, no specific species given though. World Record: 6 lbs, 1oz., NY) Economic/Recreational Importance: Popular game species where they exist. Ecological Importance: Not much due to their lack of distribution and non-predacious lifestyle. Conservation Status: Abundant. Limit is same as catfish (?): DBL = 8 lake, 15 stream, PL = 30. No limit in Mississippi River. Other: Can reach 2+ pounds under ideal conditions, but most commonly range from 8- 10 inches and less than a pound Konrad Schmidt, University of Minnesota

31 References: Ameiurus nebulosus Armstrong, P.B., and J.S. Child (Illus.) 1962. Stages in the development of Ictalurus nebulosus. Syracuse University Press, NY. Iowa Department of Natural Resources. IowaDNR Fish and Fishing: Brown Bullhead. Available at: http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/brb-card.html. October 2004. http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/brb-card.html LandBigFish.com. 2004. Brown Bullhead. http://www.landbigfish.com/fish/fish.cfm?ID=22. October 2004. http://www.landbigfish.com/fish/fish.cfm?ID=22 ___. 2004. Black Bullhead. http://www.landbigfish.com/fish/fish.cfm?ID=20. October 2004. http://www.landbigfish.com/fish/fish.cfm?ID=20 Mayhew, J. 1987. Iowa fish and fishing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa. http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/browbull.html http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/browbull.html Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr. 1991. Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.

32 Flathead Catfish Dark to olive-brown with dark brownish mottlings on the sides Tan to yellow colors on their ventral sides from swimming on sand and light bottoms The anal fin is very short with 15-17 rays The head is broad and flat The lower mandible is longer than the upper unlike channels or blues Pylodictis olivaris Iowa DNR

33 Distribution/Habitat Where Can I find Flatheads: Submerged Brushpiles Logjams Slack Water just off main Channel Sandy Areas Distribution: Most of Iowa and its mid to large size rivers. Common in many other areas of the US also.

34 Diet/Reproduction Spawning occurs in June and July Flatheads are nest builders Grow 2-6 inches in the first year Sexually mature in their 3 or 4 year Adult diet consists usually of small to mid size fish Smaller fish eat crayfish and minnows

35 Conservation status Flathead Catfish are not protected in any way Are a popular recreational fish that are healthy in population numbers

36 Economic/Recreational importance Commercial fishermen along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers bring in $32,500 yearly from the Mississippi Flatheads are a highly sought after fish by Iowa Fisherman. Flatheadcat.com

37 Other Noodling- The art of sticking your arm in a hole hoping a catfish latches down on it so you can pull it out. Some think its crazy, some think it’s the best thing in the world. Flatheads are the oldest fish behind Armorplated sturgeon

38 References Mayhew, J. (editor). 1987. Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department Mayhew, J. (editor). 1987. Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa. 323 pp. Department of Natural Resources. 2004. Iowa DNR Fish and Fishing http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/catfishf.html CatfishnFlatheads. 2003. http://www.flatheadcat.com/

39 Blackstripe Topminnow Fundulus notatus By Emily Mae Hoffman Ohio DNR

40 Identification Prominent black stripe from snout to caudal fin Flattened head and nape Silver-white spot on top of head Incomplete lateral line Epiterminal mouth with small teeth on both jaws Dorsal fin begins behind anal fin Adults are 1.5-2.5 inches long, max. is 3 inches Illinois DNR

41 Habitat Small streams in Eastern Iowa Low current Travel in pairs Swim near water surface Iowa DNR

42 Diet Feed on water surface Aquatic and terrestrial insects Crustaceans Snails Algae Feed in morning, late afternoon, and evening

43 Reproduction Summer spawning season Male and female lay side by side on aquatic vegetation Female deposits eggs singly on aquatic vegetation 20-30 eggs are deposited at one time, and is usually repeated after several days No further care is provided

44 Conservation Status Common in Eastern Iowa Population doubling rate of less than 15 months Can survive harsh environmental conditions due to breathing oxygen- rich surface water Is threatened in some states due to water pollution and habitat destruction University of Michigan

45 Ecological Importance Preyed upon by larger fish Known to jump out of the water to avoid predators Hide motionless in aquatic vegetation When feeding, their image reflects on the water surface. When a predator approaches, they dart one way and their image goes another way, which confuses the predator.

46 References Fundulus notatus. August 2004. Available at http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.cfm?ID=3197. October 2004. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2003. Illinois Fishes Families/Species. Available at http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/fish/topmin.htm. October 2004. Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 1987. IowaDNR Fish and Fishing. Available at http://www.iowadnr.net/fish/iafish/blackstr.html. October 2004.

47 Brook Stickleback Culaea inconstans By Shannon Lydic Natural History Fishes

48 Brook Stickleback

49 Culaea inconstans Identification: Deeply compressed; 4-7 short dorsal spines; olive green dorsally with yellow spots or wavy lines Distribution: Streams and lakes in northern half Iowa

50 Brook Stickleback Habitat: Prefers moderate current; sand to gravel bottom; clean to slightly turbid waters Diet: aquatic insects, terrestrial insects, worms, snails, and sometimes fish eggs; occasionally algae What eats them: Brook Trout, Walleye, Basses, and fish-eating birds

51 Brook Stickleback Reproduction: Males build nests in late spring (May-June). Males secrete white cement chemical to attach nest to vegetation. The nest is made of organic material, algae, and other debris. Female releases 100-500 eggs. Conservation: Brook Stickleback is not considered threatened or endangered. Ecological Importance: Serve as natural mosquito control

52 References: Culaea inconstans Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 2004. http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/iafish/bsb-card.html Fishes of Minnesota: Brook Stickleback. 2003. http://www.gen.umn.edu/research/fish/fishes/brook_stickle back.html http://www.gen.umn.edu/research/fish/fishes/brook_stickle back.html Carter, G.R., and J.D. Williams. 2002. National Audubon Society Field Guide to Fishes Revised Edition. pp. 270- 271. Chanticleer Press, Inc, New York. Page, L.M., and B.M. Burr. 1991. pp.242-243. Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.