In celebration of said birthday, I present you with some interesting facts about the madtom you thought you knew.
Yellow madtom, Ameiurus natalis
Physical Description:
· Looks like a small catfish
· Stocky body, compressed posteriorly
· Broad, depressed head
· Large eye near the top of the head
· Inferior mouth, long barbels around mouth
· Notch between adipose and tail fin
· Yellow-brown body with dark saddles and blotches
· Slightly curved pectoral spine
· Pale yellow at base of all fins except pelvic which is whitish-pink
Similar species:
· Mountain madtom (Noturus eleutherus)
Mean body size:
· Adults are 70-110 mm standard length
Habitat:
· Clear streams and rivers, under cover of rocks, logs, leaf litter, etc.
Distribution in VA:
· Tennessee drainage in the Clinch and North Fork Holston Rivers
Food Habits:
· Aquatic insect larvae
Reproductive Habits:
· Mature by age 2 or 3
· Spawning probably occurs in from mid-May to mid-July at 20-23ºC
· Eggs laid in cavities under flat rocks in shallow pools
· Fecundity is 121-278 eggs per female
Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance:
· Thought to be extinct at one time
· Federally threatened, recommended for endangered status in Virginia
