How does the White Catfish's typically forked tail compare morphologically to that of bullheads?

Bullheads generally possess a squared or rounded tail

Distinguishing between closely related catfish species often relies on subtle yet reliable morphological characteristics, particularly external features visible to anglers or field biologists. For the White Catfish, the caudal fin, or tail, is characteristically forked, meaning the posterior edge divides into two lobes, though the notch might not be as deep as that seen in the Channel Catfish. In contrast, bullheads, which are also members of the Ictaluridae family, display a different tail shape. Their caudal fins are typically described as being squared off at the end or distinctly rounded, lacking the V-shape indentation prominent in the White Catfish. This tail shape difference provides a practical method for differentiation when observing the overall light coloration and barbel count of the fish.