bullhead

/bool"hed'/, n.

1. any of several North American, freshwater catfishes of the genus Ictalurus, having a rounded or truncate caudal fin.

2. any of several other fishes, as the freshwater sculpins of the genus Cottus, esp. those species having a hornlike spine on each side of the head.

3. an obstinate or stupid person.

[1665-75, Amer.; BULL¹ + HEAD]

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Any of several species of North American freshwater catfish in the genus Ictalurus, valued as food and sport fishes.

Bullheads are related to the channel catfish (I. punctatus) and other large North American species, but their tail is squared, rather than forked, and they are generally less than 12 in. (30 cm) long. The black bullhead (I. melas) is found in the Mississippi Valley, the yellow and brown bullheads (I. natalis and I. nebulosus) east of the Rocky Mtns., and the flat bullhead (I. platycephalus) in coastal streams between North Carolina and Florida. The name is sometimes applied to sculpins.

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▪ catfish

also called  horned pout 

      any of several North American freshwater catfishes of the genus Ictalurus (Ameiurus of some authorities) and the family Ictaluridae. Bullheads are related to the channel catfish (I. punctatus) and other large North American species but have squared, rather than forked, tails and are generally less than 30 centimetres (12 inches) long. Bullheads are valued as food and sport fishes. The black bullhead (I. melas) is found in the Mississippi Valley, the yellow and brown bullheads (I. natalis and I. nebulosus) east of the Rocky Mountains; and the flat bullhead (I. platycephalus) in the coastal streams between North Carolina and Florida.

      The name bullhead is sometimes also applied to sculpins and sea poachers.

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