The Virtual Aquarium of Virginia Tech--Catfish

Stonecat, Noturus flavus

 
Physical Description: 
ï¿½	Looks like a small catfish, slender body, compressed posteriorly, broad, depressed head
ï¿½	Gray-black blotches on body
ï¿½	Pale yellow fins
ï¿½	Yellow spot behind the dorsal fin 
ï¿½	Small eye near the top of the head
ï¿½	Inferior mouth, barbels around mouth are white, others brown
ï¿½	Straight pectoral spine
ï¿½	Head and top of body gray or brown with pale yellow

Similar species: 
ï¿½	Freckled madtom (Noturus nocturnus)
ï¿½	Slender madtom (Noturus exilis)

Mean body size:
ï¿½	Adults are 70-150 mm standard length 

Habitat:
ï¿½	Warm streams and rivers under rocks in runs and riffles
ï¿½	Rocky and sandy lake shores

Distribution in VA:
ï¿½	Tennessee drainage
ï¿½	Probably extirpated from the Big Sandy drainage

Food Habits:  
ï¿½	Aquatic invertebrates, mostly insect larvae, fish, and crayfish

Reproductive Habits: 
ï¿½	Mature by age 3 or 4
ï¿½	Spawning occurs in June to August 
ï¿½	Nests located beneath large rocks in riffles, runs, and lake shallows
ï¿½	Fecundity is 189-570 eggs per female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
ï¿½	Special concern status in Virginia
ï¿½	Latest maturing, longest lived, and largest madtom  

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service):