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The Flat Bullhead

Flat Bullhead is a small southeastern catfish found in Atlantic drainages from Virginia to Georgia. River pools and quiet impoundments provide much of its documented habitat.

Waters and Bottoms

The species occurs in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, using river pools over mud, sand or rock. It also inhabits ponds and impoundments. This variety means bottom material alone cannot establish an identification among small bullheads.

Feeding

Aquatic insects are part of the diet, together with fishes and snails. These prey include both mobile animals and organisms associated with the bottom. A purely fish-eating description would overlook the broader feeding pattern documented for Flat Bullhead.

Size and Identity

The reported maximum is 29 centimeters total length, with a common reference length of 23.3 centimeters. Flat Bullhead belongs to Ameiurus and should remain separate from Flathead Catfish, a different species that reaches a much larger adult size.

Bullhead and Flathead Differ

The similar common names can cause confusion. Retain Ameiurus platycephalus when connecting photographs, measurements and drainage records to this bullhead.

All Lakes With Flat Bullhead

Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Flat Bullhead records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.

Showing 1–1 of 1 lakes · Page 1 of 1

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