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Stonecat vs Yellow Bullhead


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#1 Sean Phillips

Sean Phillips
  • NANFA Member
  • Allegheny River Drainage, Southwest PA

Posted 14 August 2014 - 07:48 AM

Was out collecting some chubs the other evening and found a shallow slow hole with some roots in it. Upon closer inspection I saw one or two small chubs, a few small minnows of some type, a couple of darters, two or three sculpins, and what was either a small yellow bullhead or a stonecat. I had it on my line twice but it got off and then stopped biting after digging deep into the roots. It's hard to explain but the area I was collecting in is weird in that fish can't move up or downstream unless they're very small due to several blockages even in high water so I have a feeling that cat might be there next time I collect there.

So what is a good reliable technique to use in the field to tell A. natalis apart from N. flavus?
Sean Phillips - Pine Creek Watershed - Allegheny River Drainage

#2 Guest_UncleWillie_*

Guest_UncleWillie_*
  • Guests

Posted 14 August 2014 - 08:10 AM

A stonecat is a madtom of sorts (Noturus), so it will have the typical characteristics of a madtom like the attached/fused rear portion of the adipose fin. The rear portion of bullheads (and other NA catfishes) are not attached to the body.

#3 Sean Phillips

Sean Phillips
  • NANFA Member
  • Allegheny River Drainage, Southwest PA

Posted 19 August 2014 - 08:13 AM

Thanks!
Sean Phillips - Pine Creek Watershed - Allegheny River Drainage



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