Bullhead (Cottus gobio)

Description

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Bullhead fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Bullhead description

The bullhead (Cottus gobio) is the only freshwater member of the family Cottidae that is native to the UK. It is a small fish, with a large mouth ⁽⁴⁾, large pectoral fins, prominent eyes ⁽⁵⁾ and a wide flattened head; hence the common names 'bullhead' and 'miller's thumb' ⁽⁴⁾. They are brownish in colour with mottling or barring, and pale undersides ⁽⁶⁾. During the spawning period males become black in colour with a white-tipped dorsal fin, and females become plump ⁽⁴⁾.

Size

Maximum length: 18 cm ⁽²⁾

Bullhead biology

The bullhead is crepuscular; it spends the day under stones or in vegetation and emerges at dusk to feed on small bottom-dwelling invertebrates such as insect larvae and crustaceans, as well as the eggs and larvae of other fish ^{(5) (8)}. They are occasionally cannibalistic, particularly of eggs in other nests ⁽⁵⁾. Bullheads are visual, ambush predators, and are good swimmers, moving quickly in short, sharp darts along the bed ⁽⁵⁾.

The spawning season occurs between February and June, and fertilisation is external ⁽⁸⁾. The eggs are laid underneath stones or in a pit, and then guarded and cared for by the male who fans them to ensure that they receive enough oxygen ⁽⁹⁾. The eggs hatch two to four weeks later, and the larvae feed on their yolk sac for a further two weeks before dispersing. Maturity is reached within two years ⁽¹⁰⁾.

Bullheads often behave aggressively towards one another, and competition for shelter and foraging space can be intense; research is currently being carried out by the University of Southampton into this area ⁽⁵⁾. Being small, bullheads are vulnerable to a wide range of predators, particularly brown trout, pike, grey heron, kingfisher and dippers ⁽⁸⁾.

Bullhead range

The bullhead is widely distributed in England and Wales but in Scotland is only known from the Forth and Clyde catchments ⁽⁷⁾. Elsewhere, the species is found in Europe, but it does not have such a favourable status there, and so it is listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive ⁽⁴⁾.

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Bullhead habitat

Occurs in freshwater streams, rivers and lakes with hard stony substrates and shows a preference for fast flowing, shallow water bodies ^{(7) (8)}. The large pectoral fins enable bullheads to hold their position in fast flowing water ⁽⁵⁾.

Bullhead status

The bullhead is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾. Listed on Annex II of the EC Habitats Directive ⁽³⁾.

Bullhead threats

The reasons for the poor status of the bullhead in Europe are unclear.

Bullhead conservation

A number of areas have been selected as candidate Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) ⁽⁷⁾ in order to reflect a variety of ecological situations and the geographical range of the bullhead ⁽⁷⁾. This should help to secure a strong conservation status for this fish, but it is thought that further measures will be required to maintain the UK population ⁽⁷⁾. The life in UK Rivers Project is helping to conserve this species ⁽⁸⁾.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Find out more

For more on the bullhead: 

• Tomlinson, M.L. and Perrow, M.R. (2003) Ecology of the Bullhead. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Ecology Series No. 4. English Nature, Peterborough. Available at:
  http://www.english-nature.org.uk/LifeInUKRivers/species/bullhead.pdf

Authentication

Information authenticated by Andrew Davey, University of Southampton.

Glossary

Crepuscular

Active at dusk.

Crustaceans

Diverse group of arthropods (a phylum of animals with jointed limbs and a hard chitinous exoskeleton) characterised by the possession of two pairs of antennae, one pair of mandibles (parts of the mouthparts used for handling and processing food) and two pairs of maxillae (appendages used in eating, which are located behind the mandibles). Includes crabs, lobsters, shrimps, slaters, woodlice and barnacles.

Dorsal fin

The unpaired fin found on the back of the body of fish, or the raised structure on the back of most cetaceans.

Fertilisation

The fusion of gametes (male and female reproductive cells) to produce an embryo, which grows into a new individual.

Invertebrates

Animals with no backbone.

Larvae

Stage in an animal's lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.

Pectoral fins

In fish, the pair of fins that are found one on each side of the body just behind the gills. They are generally used for balancing and braking.

Spawning

The production or depositing of large quantities of eggs in water.

References

1. IUCN Red List (April, 2011)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org/
2. Maitland, P.S. (2000) Guide to Freshwater Fish of Britain and Europe. Hamlyn, London.
3. Carter, M.G., Copp, G.H. and Szomlai, V. (2004) Seasonal abundance and microhabitat use of bullhead Cottus gobio and accompanying fish species in the River Avon (Hampshire), and implications for conservation. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 14: 395 - 412.
4. Environment Agency. (1998) Species Awareness leaflet Number 3: Spined loach and Bullhead. Environment Agency, Peterborough.
5. Davey, A. (2002) Pers. comm.
6. Miller, P.J. and Coates, M.J. (1997) Fish of Britain and Europe. Harper Collins Ltd, London.
7. JNCC (September, 2008)
   http://www.jncc.gov.uk/ProtectedSites/SACselection/species.asp?FeatureIntCode=S1163
8. Tomlinson, M.L. and Perrow, M.R. (2003) Ecology of the Bullhead. Conserving Natura 2000 Rivers Ecology Series No. 4. English Nature, Peterborough. Available at:
   http://www.english-nature.org.uk/LifeInUKRivers/species/bullhead.pdf
9. Cihar, J. (1991) A Field Guide in Colour to Freshwater Fish. Silverdale Books, Leicester.
10. Newdick, J. (1979) The Complete Freshwater Fishes of the British Isles. A & C Black, London.