Species

Black bullhead

A small, nocturnal North American catfish with eight dark barbels that was introduced to Europe and is considered invasive.

Ameiurus melas

Photo: George Chernilevsky, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, adjusted to 3:2

Spawning: Late spring to early summer; both parents guard the eggs in a pit in the mud (Wikipedia; general guide, varies by region)
German Red List: not assessed
Typical method: Ledgering (bottom fishing)
Top bait: Lobworm

Plan a day fishing for Black bullhead

How to recognise it

Scaleless body, upper side blackish green, in murky water also yellowish brown, underside grey to white
Eight barbels around the mouth that are always dark
Sharp spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins and a small adipose fin

Easily confused with: According to FishBase often confused with the brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus); the black bullhead has dark barbels and a pectoral spine that is only weakly serrated (Wikipedia).

How to catch it

Methods: Ledgering (bottom fishing), Float fishing near the bottom

Baits: Lobworm, Redworm, Strip of fish, Maggot

Dusk and night, as it feeds mainly at night; often takes baits meant for other fish (Wikipedia).

Habitat and food

Native to the US Midwest and southern Canada; introduced in many European countries, including Germany. Lives in gentle current over soft bottoms, in backwaters, ponds and reservoirs (Wikipedia).

Omnivore that forages on the bottom at night, mainly for insect larvae and crustaceans, plus leeches, mussels, snails, fish and plant material (Wikipedia).

Size and age

Usually 25 to 35 cm and under 400 g; maximum length 66 cm, maximum weight at least 3.62 kg, highest published age ten years (Wikipedia). FishBase: max. 66 cm, heaviest published weight 3.6 kg, maximum age 10 years.

Protection and rules

Conservation status: German Red List (freshwater fish 2023): not assessed, non-native species. On the EU list of invasive alien species of Union concern since 2022 (Regulation (EU) 2016/1141, according to the Red List and Wikipedia). IUCN: not threatened (Least Concern, 2011). Depending on the federal state, it may be forbidden to release caught bullheads: check the rules of your state. Never move live fish to other waters.

Black bullhead: closed season and minimum size by German state

Berlinno minimum size, no closed season

From the official state fisheries regulations, retrieved 2026-10-11. All rules by state

Check the rules

Closed seasons and minimum sizes are set by each German state and can be stricter for single waters. All rules by state, with the legal source

In the kitchen

Edible (FishBase); in clean water the meat is considered very good (English Wikipedia). Take care with the fin spines when cleaning.

Sources (5)

Last checked 2026-10-13. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].

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