Warmouth (Chaenobryttus gulosus)
Identifying characteristics: It has a stout, deep body similar to that of a bluegill or redear sunfish,
yet has a large bass-like mouth. The red eye and large mouth are the first conspicuous field
marks of mature warmouth. They vary from brassy to dark-olive green and often have a purple tint
overall. Broad, irregular dark bars give it a mottled appearance. The soft-rayed portions of the
dorsal and anal fins are marked with rows of dark spots.
White Bass (Morone chrysops)
Identifying characteristics: Two dorsal fins separated into higher spiny and lower soft-rayed
portion, nine spines in first dorsal fin, longitudinal bars along its sides.
White Catfish (Ameiurus catus)
Identifying characteristics: The sides are blue-gray to blue-black and may be mottled. The tail is
moderately forked, and the anal fin is shorter and rounder than that of channel or blue catfish.
Whites have only 19-22 anal fin rays. The chin barbels are white or yellow. They have a blunt,
more-rounded head, and they lack black spots on their body.
Yellow Bullhead (Ameiurus natalis)
Identifying characteristics: The yellow bullhead closely resembles the brown bullhead with a squat
body and a round or square tail. It is yellow-olive to slate-black above and lighter, often yellow to
yellow-olive, on its sides with little to no mottling. The belly may be white, cream or yellow. The chin
barbels are yellow to buff or pale pink; the upper barbels, which are light to dark-brown, help
distinguish this species from brown bullheads. The anal fin has a straight margin with 23 to 27 rays.
Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens)
Identifying characteristics: Two dorsal fins separated into a spiny and soft-rayed portion, yellow
sides, seven blackish bars on the sides, no canine teeth.
Fish Anatomy
Copyright© 2006 - 2008 BobberStop.com
Identifying characteristics: It has a stout, deep body similar to that of a bluegill or redear sunfish,
yet has a large bass-like mouth. The red eye and large mouth are the first conspicuous field
marks of mature warmouth. They vary from brassy to dark-olive green and often have a purple tint
overall. Broad, irregular dark bars give it a mottled appearance. The soft-rayed portions of the
dorsal and anal fins are marked with rows of dark spots.
White Bass (Morone chrysops)
Identifying characteristics: Two dorsal fins separated into higher spiny and lower soft-rayed
portion, nine spines in first dorsal fin, longitudinal bars along its sides.
White Catfish (Ameiurus catus)
Identifying characteristics: The sides are blue-gray to blue-black and may be mottled. The tail is
moderately forked, and the anal fin is shorter and rounder than that of channel or blue catfish.
Whites have only 19-22 anal fin rays. The chin barbels are white or yellow. They have a blunt,
more-rounded head, and they lack black spots on their body.
Yellow Bullhead (Ameiurus natalis)
Identifying characteristics: The yellow bullhead closely resembles the brown bullhead with a squat
body and a round or square tail. It is yellow-olive to slate-black above and lighter, often yellow to
yellow-olive, on its sides with little to no mottling. The belly may be white, cream or yellow. The chin
barbels are yellow to buff or pale pink; the upper barbels, which are light to dark-brown, help
distinguish this species from brown bullheads. The anal fin has a straight margin with 23 to 27 rays.
Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens)
Identifying characteristics: Two dorsal fins separated into a spiny and soft-rayed portion, yellow
sides, seven blackish bars on the sides, no canine teeth.
Fish Anatomy
Copyright© 2006 - 2008 BobberStop.com
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| Freshwater Fish Identification - 5 |
