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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 ]
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 diet of the northern madtom consists of small insects and invertebrates. However, because the species is found in such small numbers, no real evidence supports the specifics of their diet. Little is known as to the quality or quantity of what the northern madtom eats. The northern madtom is found in different habitats throughout its range.
The tadpole madtom possess dark nasal and maxillary barbels and white mandibular barbels. Their adipose fin is completely connected to their large and round caudal fin, [5] and their pectoral fin is not serrated. They possess 6–7 gill rakers; 6–7 dorsal rays; 15–18 anal rays; 7–9 pectoral rays; and 8–10 pelvic rays. The anal fin is of ...
The pygmy madtom is the smallest of madtoms, reaching only about 50 mm in length at adulthood. It is dark brown dorsally and nearly white ventrally, and is similar to the least madtom, but is distinguished by its white snout and large teeth on the front edge of the pectoral spine. The caudal fin has a dark band or dusky blotches in the middle.
The area also includes large boulders for the madtom to hide under, which it has been documented to do when disturbed at night. The water is clear and its temperature is also intermediate between cold and cool water. Stream width is about 4–10 m (13–32 ft). [7] Smallmouth bass have been recorded preying on the smoky madtoms. [10]
The frecklebelly madtom is a robust, boldly patterned member of the monophyletic saddled madtom subgenus Rabida. [4] Historically, the population thrived in large rivers in the Mobile Basin and Pearl River drainages in the southeastern United States. [5] However, it is currently limited to the Coastal Plain rivers. [6]
Brindled madtoms are approximately 10.1 to 12.6 centimeters (4.0 to 5.0 in) long. The brindled madtom, like other Noturus species, has a caudally-fused adipose fin which extends from the caudal fin and runs nearly to the dorsal fin. The caudal fin spreads around the caudal peduncle, terminating just prior to the anal fin.