Classification

The Yellow Bullhead is scientifically known as Ameiurus natalis, and the breakdown of the classification of the fish is as follows (Rook. 1999):

Ameiurus: "fishcat"
natalis: "having large buttocks"

Kingdom Animalia
    Phylum Chordata
        Subphylum Vertebrata
            Superclass Ostereichthyes
                Class Actinopterygii
                    Subclass Neopterygii
                        Infraclass Teleostei
                            Superorder Ostariophysi
                                Order Siluriformes
                                    Family Ictaluridae
                                        Genus Ameiurus

To go into more detail as to why the Yellow Bullhead is classified as the above, let's take a look into what it means to be defined in each of the categories.... 

Kingdom Animalia: multi-cellular, heterotrophic, cells do not have walls
Phylum Chordata: having a spinal cord
Subphylum Vertebrata: having a backbone
Superclass Ostereichthyes: being a bony fish
Order Siluriformes: catfish
Family Ictaluridae: freshwater catfishes or bullhead catfishes
Genus Ameiurus: the bullheads

The yellow bullhead is set apart from other fish species by the distinguishing factor of the bullhead's "sting", which is a defense mechanism against predation. This "sting" is really the spiny fins of the fish causing a painful cut (DNR).  This tells other species that want to interact with the yellow bullhead to not pull any funny business.  The yellow bullhead has four white whiskers called barbels on their chins where their taste buds are located, a yellow/white underbelly (therefore creating the yellow bullhead name) , and an anal fin that will have anywhere from 23-27 rays (DNR).

 

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