Looking for other input on bullhead identification. They were advertised as brown bullhead from where I bought them, but I believe they are black. None of the ones I have caught have over 21 rays, however all of the smaller bullheads have slight barbs on spines, I do not really feel any barbs on the larger ones. The ones with the whiter belly do seem to have more rays, but still not more than 21. They all look very similar other than some having a slightly whiter belly. All were stocked into a small wildlife pond in May as 3" fingerlings, some are already 9" and large enough to fry while others are only 5". Pond was very rich with feed from, tadpoles, frogs, aquatic insects, minnows, etc.
Yes leaning towards black bullhead as well. Do not think it will change my management strategy, but still in development. I really have not found much information that distinguishes between the differences other than mention of distinguishing features and preferred spawning habitat, which leads me to believe that the black bullhead maybe more tolerant of swampy/mucky waters.
