- Kingdom - Animalia
- Phylum - Chordata
- Class - Actinoptergii
- Order - Siluriformes
- Family - Ictaluridae
- Species - Ameiurus melas
- Bottom feeders that can grow to small sizes.
Ray-finned fish are the most diverse in the way of body plans in the chordate world only being beat by insects. But there are important features being gills covered by a operculum, ossified bones, fins with small ray-like bone, and a swim bladder.
They are kinda stereotypically catfish looking. But their heads are bulky and robust. And their color ranges from black/dark brown dorsally to yellow or white ventrally. Their barbels are completely colored and their fins have black pigmentation.
They eat freshwater crustations, insects, and insect larvae. But they are known to eat small fish and fish eggs too.
They fertilize externally and can produce up to 5,000 eggs. They can live up to 10 years, but commonly live only to 5 years.
Freshwater marine they live in any sort of water that accommodates them. They find themselves in areas that are typically unsuitable for other fish because of this. They don’t like rapidly moving waters.
The young are likely to fall prey to basses (Specifically largemouth bass), and walleye.
There is no information on their status.
