Carolina madtom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carolina madtom |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification |
The Carolina madtom (Noturus furiosus) is a small type of fish in the Ictaluridae family, which includes catfish. It is special because it is only found in North Carolina, USA. This little catfish can grow to be almost five inches long. Fish scientists named Jordan and Meek first described it in the late 1800s. It's the only madtom fish that lives only in North Carolina, which is why it's called the Carolina madtom!
Contents
What Does the Carolina Madtom Look Like?
The Carolina madtom has a short, chunky body. It also has a cool color pattern that helps it stand out from other madtoms.
Body Colors and Patterns
It has three dark, saddle-like patches along its back. These patches connect to a wide, black stripe that runs along its side. This stripe goes all the way from its nose to the base of its tail. There's also a dark spot on its adipose fin (a small, fleshy fin on its back). This spot looks like a fourth saddle. The areas between the dark saddles are yellowish or tan. The rest of the fish is mostly tan. Its belly is plain and has no spots. Its tail has brown bands that look like crescent moons near the edges and in the middle.
Special Spines
The Carolina madtom has strong spines on its pectoral fins (the fins near its gills). These spines have sharp, saw-like edges on both sides. These stinging spines are why its scientific name includes "furiosus," which means "furious" or "full of fury"!
Where Does the Carolina Madtom Live?
The Carolina madtom lives in medium to large streams and rivers. It likes places with fast-moving water, like riffles (shallow, rocky areas), runs (smooth, flowing areas), and pools (deeper, calmer areas).
Ideal Water Conditions
It needs fresh water that flows all year round. The water should also have a moderate slope. You can find it in both the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions of North Carolina.
Perfect Home Spots
The best places for the Carolina madtom have a clean, stable bottom. This bottom should be made of gravel and small rocks (cobble) with very little silt (fine dirt). It also needs places to hide and build nests. These hiding spots can be under rocks, tree bark, old mussel shells, or even discarded cans and bottles!
What Does the Carolina Madtom Eat?
The Carolina madtom is a "sight feeder," meaning it uses its eyes to find food. It is most active at night, especially around dawn and dusk.
Favorite Foods
It mainly eats small creatures that live on the bottom of the stream. These include:
- Larval midges (tiny fly larvae)
- Mayflies
- Caddisflies
- Dragonflies
- Beetle larvae
How Does the Carolina Madtom Live and Grow?
The Carolina madtom has an interesting life cycle.
Reproduction and Growth
Female madtoms can lay anywhere from 80 to 300 eggs in one season. They lay their eggs in hidden spots. The male madtom then guards the nest until the eggs hatch. Young madtoms grow about two inches in their first two years. They become adults when they are between two and three years old. Scientists are not sure exactly how long these fish live, but they know they can live for at least four years.
Where It's Found
The Carolina madtom is only found in parts of the Tar and Neuse river basins in North Carolina. It tends to live in the larger streams that flow into these rivers. This limited range means there aren't many of them.
Conservation Status
Because it lives in such a small area and only in specific types of water, the N.C. Natural Heritage Program has given it special protection. The population in the Tar River Basin is listed as "Significantly Rare." The population in the Neuse River Basin is a species of "Special Concern." Because it's so small, people don't usually try to catch it for sport. It is considered a "nongame species."
What Challenges Does the Carolina Madtom Face?
The Carolina madtom faces many dangers that threaten its survival. These include dirty water, less stream flow, changes to its habitat, and new invasive species. These problems are expected to get worse with more city growth and climate change.
Pollution
The Carolina madtom needs clean, flowing water to survive. When water temperatures in rivers get too high because of human activities, it can harm the madtom and cause its numbers to drop.
Reduced Stream Flow
Things like droughts (when there's not enough rain) and dams can slow down the natural flow of streams. This can make the water quality worse. It also makes it harder for fish to move around and find food. Plus, waste and fine dirt can build up in the stream instead of being washed away.
Agriculture and Development
Streams that flow through cities or farms often have more dirt in the water. Their banks can also be unstable. Runoff from paved surfaces can also pollute the water. These changes make the streams less suitable for fish compared to areas with forests along the banks.
Habitat Fragmentation
Dams and pipes under roads (culverts) can block the madtom's path. This makes it hard for them to move freely to find good places to live. For example, the Falls Lake dam in the Neuse River separated madtoms in the upper part of the river from those in the middle part. When fish populations are separated, it can limit their genetic exchange, which is important for their health.
Invasive Species
- Flathead catfish: This fish is an invasive predator in the Neuse and Tar River basins. It eats mostly other fish and has no natural enemies there.
- Hydrilla: This is an invasive water plant. It forms thick mats of stems and leaves on the water's surface. It changes the stream habitat, slows down water flow, and causes dirt to build up in the streams.
Images for kids
-
A hiding madtom
See also
In Spanish: Noturus furiosus para niños
