Caddo madtom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Caddo madtom |
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The Caddo madtom (Noturus taylori) is a small fish. It's a type of catfish found only in the United States. This fish was named after William Ralph Taylor, a scientist who studied catfishes.
These fish are tiny, usually 2 to 4 inches long. They weigh only a few ounces. Caddo madtoms live in a small area. You can find them mainly in the Caddo, Ouachita, and Little Missouri Rivers. These rivers are all in southwestern Arkansas.
Building dams and bridges can make it hard for these fish to move around. Scientists need more information about the Caddo madtom's life. This includes how it reproduces and how it lives in its environment. The Caddo madtom is listed as vulnerable. This means it could become endangered. Its small living area makes it sensitive to changes. Things like dams, pollution, and other issues can harm its habitat. Experts say this rare fish is threatened because it is losing its home.
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Where Caddo Madtoms Live
The Caddo madtom was first known only from the upper Caddo River. This river flows into the Ouachita River in Arkansas. This tiny madtom is special. It is one of only two fish species found only in the upper Caddo River. The Caddo River starts in the Ouachita Mountains.
These fish were found where the water is very clear. This is different from the lower parts of the river. The lower river is cloudier below the DeGray Reservoir. Their distribution seems to stop at this reservoir.
Now, Caddo madtoms have been found in other nearby rivers. These include the Ouachita and South Fork Ouachita Rivers. These rivers are connected to the same watershed. The first time this fish was collected was in 1970. It was found in the Caddo River near Glenwood. Since then, it has been found in other parts of the Caddo River. These areas are in Montgomery, Pike, and Clark Counties in Arkansas.
These fish are at risk of disappearing. This is because of big environmental problems in their river systems. Their numbers seem to have gone down. This might be because they live in headwater habitats. These are the small streams where rivers begin. It is hard for them to move to other rivers if their home is damaged.
How Caddo Madtoms Live
The Caddo madtom prefers to live in headwater streams. These are the small streams at the very beginning of a river system.
What They Eat
Their food includes small water creatures. They eat snails, isopods, and different kinds of insect larvae. These include mayflies, dragonflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies. They also eat aquatic moths, aquatic beetles, and true flies. Mayflies and true flies are their main food.
Their Home
Caddo madtoms like shallow areas. They live in pools or shoals with gravel bottoms. These spots are usually near the shorelines of clear, small to medium rivers. They especially like well-packed gravel areas. These are found below gravel riffles. Here, the madtoms hide under rocks, large gravel, or in piles of rubble. They prefer to live in the spaces within these rocky areas.
Special Defenses
Like all madtoms, they have special pectoral spines. These are sharp spines on their fins. They have saw-like teeth and a gland that makes a neurotoxin. This toxin is a type of poison. When used, these spines and toxins can cause a painful sting. This helps them defend against predators.
Their Life Cycle
This species spends its whole life "in the rocks." They lay eggs from late April to May. It seems they only lay eggs once during this time. However, scientists have not yet found any of their nests.
Female Caddo madtoms can have up to 48 mature eggs. But on average, they have about 16 eggs per female. Scientists still do not know how old they are when they can start reproducing. Not much is known about how the Caddo madtom reproduces. It is the only madtom known to have different sex chromosomes.
Protecting Caddo Madtoms
Studies show that building dams and bridges creates problems. These structures block fish from moving and traveling in the Ouachita Highlands. Construction usually harms water habitats. Even if it's meant to help, it can still cause damage.
As mentioned, the Caddo madtom lives in a small area. This makes it vulnerable to habitat destruction. Things like dams, pollution, and other factors can harm its home. Experts have said that this rare fish is threatened. This is because it is losing its habitat.
The Caddo madtom is sensitive to small disturbances. Human activities in the region can affect their water homes. These activities include new buildings, logging, and gravel mining. All of these can negatively impact stream fish.
See also
In Spanish: Noturus taylori para niños
