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Mountain Madtom
Mountain Madtom,  Noturus eleutherus

 
Physical Description: 
�	Looks like a small catfish
�	Stout body, compressed posteriorly
�	Somewhat depressed head
�	Large eye near the top of the head
�	Inferior mouth, brown, mottled barbels around mouth
�	Wide, pale margin on adipose fin
�	Partial notch between adipose and tail fin
�	Dark saddles and blotches on the body
�	Slightly curved pectoral spine
�	Dark brown splotches on brown body
�	Mottled brown fins, brown bar at base of tail fin

Similar species: 
�	Yellowfin madtom (Noturus flavipinnis)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 40-60 mm standard length 

Habitat:
�	Riffles and runs of clear, warm streams and rivers

Distribution in VA:
�	Tennessee drainage in the North Fork Holston, Clinch, and Powell Rivers

Food Habits:  
�	Aquatic insect larvae at night

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Life span is 4-5 years
�	Spawning occurs in June and July 
�	Eggs laid in cavities under flat rocks in gently flowing pools
�	Fecundity is 55-115 eggs per female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	Most common small catfish in southwestern Virginia

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):

VAFWIS
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Blue Catfish
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Brown Bullhead
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Channel Catfish
Channel Catfish
Flat Bullhead
Flat Bullhead
Flathead Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Margined Madtom
Margined Madtom
Mountain Madtom
Mountain Madtom
Orangefin Madtom
Orangefin Madtom
Stonecat
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Tadpole Madtom
Tadpole Madtom
White Catfish
White Catfish
Yellow Bullhead
Yellow Bullhead
Yellowfin Madtom
Yellowfin Madtom
Continue Browsing Families.....
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  2. Polyodontidae, Paddlefish
  3. Acipenseridae, Sturgeons
  4. Lepisosteidae, Gars
  5. Amiidae, Bowfins
  6. Anguillidae, Freshwater Eels
  7. Amblyopsidae, Cavefishes
  8. Ictaluridae, Catfish
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  10. Salmonidae, Trouts
  11. Clupeidae, Herrings
  12. Esocidae, Pikes
  13. Aphredoderidae, Pirate Perches
  14. Umbridae, Mudminnows
  15. Fundulidae, Killifishes
  16. Poeciliidae, Livebearers
  17. Cyprinidae, Minnows
  18. Catostomidae, Suckers
  19. Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks
  20. Atherinidae, Silversides
  21. Cottidae, Sculpins
  22. Sciaenidae, Drums
  23. Percidae, Perches
  24. Moronidae, Striped Basses
  25. Centrarchidae, Sunfishes

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