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Madtoms are freshwater catfishes (order Siluriformes) of the genus Noturus of the family Ictaluridae. It is the most species-rich genus of catfish in North America, [ 1 ] native to the central and eastern United States, and adjacent parts of Canada. [ 2 ]
The black madtom has a rather plump body. It is a black or dark black blue on the top half and lighter on the lower half. [3] It has an average total length of 7.9 cm, but can reach a total length of 15 cm. [4] They have many tiny dots across their body, most obvious under the head and belly.
In most areas the tadpole madtom spawn in June or July when the water temperature reaches 80 °F. [8] Breeding males exhibit swelling of the lips and genital papillae as well as enlarged muscles on top of the head. Breeding tadpole madtoms do not build nests, but instead rely on any present solid substrate with which to attach their eggs.
The margined madtom is yellow to dark gray on the upper side of the body, and a pale shade on the underside. It is slimmer than other members of the family Ictaluridae. It has a square tail and lacks the rays of other tadpole madtoms. The dorsal fin and anal fins are rounded, the chin barbels are pale, and all the other barbels are dark.
The slender madtom and the orangethroat darter (Etheostoma spectabile) also compete for and share the same diet. [8] The slender madtom inhabits the rocky riffles and pools of creeks and small rivers, spending much of the day hiding under large rocks and emerging to feed at night. [5] Slender madtoms feed preferably after dusk and before dawn.
Little is known about the Ouachita madtom's reproduction. However, on August 1, 1980 six Ouachita madtoms were collected in a stream only 3.9 feet (1.2 m) across. The six specimens were obviously young-of-the-year, and their presence raised speculations that Ouachita madtoms seek smaller streams during summer months to spawn.
The freckled madtom is known to inhabit fast-moving and permanently moving streams that are medium to large in size. The streams usually contain rocky bottoms. Further, this species is sometimes found in the vicinity of undercut banks near masses of sticks and roots. [2] The freckled madtom is primarily an invertivore (feeding
The northern madtom shares its habitat with several similar species ranging from the very similar mountain madtom to some invasive species, which create competition for both food and resources. However, not much is known about the specifics of the effect of this competition on the northern madtoms because they are found in such small numbers.