What is the key field mark distinguishing the Yellow Bullhead's chin barbels?

Pale or distinctly yellow chin barbels.

The presence of pale or distinctly yellow chin barbels is identified as a critical field mark for correctly identifying the Yellow Bullhead, especially when other visual cues like overall body color might be deceptive due to habitat variability. This chromatic difference is essential for anglers and biologists, as similar species, such as the Brown Bullhead, possess barbels that are typically black or dusky. The contrast between these pale barbels and the darker lining of the mouth becomes a highly reliable indicator, particularly in turbid water conditions where the fish frequently reside. These barbels function as highly sensitive chemoreceptors, covered in taste buds, aiding the fish immensely in locating buried food sources within the soft sediment.