Ameiurus brunneus
Ameiurus brunneus
(Snail Bullhead)
Fishes
Native Transplant
Collection Info
Point Map
Species Profile
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Jay DeLong; North American Native Fishes Association (www.nanfa.org) Copyright Info
Ameiurus brunneus Jordan, 1877
Common name: Snail Bullhead
Taxonomy: available through www.itis.govITIS logo

Identification: Page and Burr (1991); Jenkins and Burkhead (1994); Mettee et al. (1996). Another commonly used name is Ictalurus brunneus.
Size: 29 cm.
Native Range: Atlantic Slope from the Pee Dee River drainage, southern Virginia, south to Altamaha River drainage, Georgia, and middle St. Johns River drainage, Florida; Gulf Slope in Apalachicola River basin, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida (Page and Burr 1991).
Native range data for this species provided in part by NatureServe NS logo
Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Nonindigenous Occurrences:

Table 1. States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Ameiurus brunneus are found here.

StateFirst ObservedLast ObservedTotal HUCs with observations†HUCs with observations†
GA197719972Brier; Etowah
NC196420147Hiwassee; Lower Dan; Middle Roanoke; Roanoke; Roanoke Rapids; Upper Dan; Upper Little Tennessee
VA198619942Lower Dan; Roanoke

Table last updated 4/12/2025

† Populations may not be currently present.
Means of Introduction: Introduction of Snail Bullheads may have resulted from stock contamination of black bullheads (Ameiurus melas) that were stocked in Belews Lake, North Carolina, on the upper Dan River (Burkhead et al. 1980). Unknown means in Georgia.
Status: Established in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia.
Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.
Remarks: Burkhead et al. (1980) provided a map and a discussion of this species' distribution in Virginia. The appearance of this species in the headwaters of the Coosa River system in northern Georgia was likely a result of natural stream capture (Bryant et al. 1979; Lee et al. 1980 et seq.).
References: (click for full references)

Burkhead, N. M., R. E. Jenkins, and E. G. Maurakis. 1980. New records, distribution and diagnostic characters of Virginia ictalurid catfishes with an adnexed adipose fin. Brimleyana 4:75--93.

Etnier, D. - University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.

Jenkins, R. E., and N. M. Burkhead. 1994. Freshwater fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD.

Jenkins, R. E. - Roanoke College, Roanoke, VA.

Lee, D. S., C. R. Gilbert, C. H. Hocutt, R. E. Jenkins, D. E. McAllister, and J. R. Stauffer, Jr. 1980 et seq. Atlas of North American freshwater fishes. North Carolina State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh, NC.

Menhinick, E. F. 1991. The freshwater fishes of North Carolina. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. 227 pp.

Mettee, M. F., P. E. O'Neil, and J. M. Pierson. 1996. Fishes of Alabama and the Mobile Basin. Oxmoor House, Inc. Birmingham, AL. 820 pp.

Page, L. M., and B. M. Burr. 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. The Peterson Field Guide Series, volume 42. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA.

Other Resources:
FishBase Summary
Author: Fuller, P.
Revision Date: 12/5/2003
Peer Review Date: 12/5/2003

Citation Information:
Fuller, P., 2025, Ameiurus brunneus Jordan, 1877: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=728, Revision Date: 12/5/2003, Peer Review Date: 12/5/2003, Access Date: 4/12/2025

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.

Disclaimer:

The data represented on this site vary in accuracy, scale, completeness, extent of coverage and origin. It is the user's responsibility to use these data consistent with their intended purpose and within stated limitations. We highly recommend reviewing metadata files prior to interpreting these data.

Citation information: U.S. Geological Survey. [2025]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [4/12/2025].

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For general information and questions about the database, contact Wesley Daniel. For problems and technical issues, contact Matthew Neilson.



Disclaimer:

The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.



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