Habitat:
Inhabits riffles, pools below riffles and runs over
gravel and sand mixed with sticks and leaves in creeks
and small rivers. Also found in lakes. Inhabits mainstream
rivers of small to medium size and the lower reaches
of their major tributaries. Most commonly associated
with moderate velocities, moderate depth (about 60
cm), clean sand or clay substrata and cover in the
form of leaf packs, brush and log jams. Aquarium
Care: The Madtoms are well suited to aquarium
life. Provide river gravel and smooth rounded stones
for hiding places during the day. A power filter at
one end of the tank will provide the conditions of
a flowing stream for these catfish. Can be housed
with other North American fishes such as minnows,
darters and shiners. Diet: Feeds
on dipteran larvae (midges and blackflies), mayflies
(Potamanthus and Stenonema), and hydropsychid caddisflies
(Cheumatopsyche). In the aquarium they like most meaty
food, such as cut-up earth worms, frozen blood worm
and prawns. They will also take tablet and pellet
foods. A varied diet will keep them in optimum health.
Common
Name:
Brindled madtom, Frecklebely
Madtom
Synonyms:
None
Family:
Ictaluridae
Distribution:
North America:
lower Great Lakes drainages in Ontario, Canada and
New York, USA southwest through most of Ohio River
basin and lower Mississippi River basin (west to east
Kansas and Oklahoma); Mohawk River in New York; Pearl
River and Lake Pontchartrain drainages in Mississippi
and Louisiana, USA. Type locality:
Maumee River basin, lower Wabash River basin and White
River near Indianapolis, Indiana [restricted to White
River near Indianapolis, by lectotype designation].
Size:
11.5cm. (4½ins)
Temp:
16-23°C (59-73°F)
p.H.
6.5-7.0.
Reference:
Ferraris, C.J. Jr.,
2007. Checklist of catfishes, recent and fossil (Osteichthyes:
Siluriformes), and catalogue of siluriform primary
types. Zootaxa 1418:1-628. Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors.
2016. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication.
www.fishbase.org, ( 06/2016 ). Page, L.M. and B.M.
Burr, 1991.
A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America
north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
432 p.
Noturus
miurus Male-From the Strong River Mississippi
Noturus
miurus Juvenile-from the Homochito River, Mississippi
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