Elegant madtom facts for kids
The elegant madtom (Noturus elegans) is a small fish that lives in rivers and creeks in Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky. It's one of nearly 30 types of madtoms, which are a kind of catfish. These fish usually live for about two years.
Scientists have suggested that the elegant madtom should be listed as a threatened species, even though it's not currently on any official lists.
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What is an Elegant Madtom?
The elegant madtom is a type of fish. It belongs to a group called "madtoms." Madtoms are small, bottom-dwelling catfish. They are known for their unique defense system.
How Scientists Classify Them
For a while, two other types of madtoms, the Noturus crypticus and Noturus fasciatus, were thought to be the same as the elegant madtom. But now, scientists know they are different species. The chucky madtom, N. crypticus, is currently considered very threatened.
Where Do Elegant Madtoms Live?
Elegant madtoms are mostly found in Tennessee and northern Alabama. You can find them in parts of the Tennessee River. They also live in the Roaring River and the Green River drainage. In Alabama, they are in Piney Creek, Paint Rock River, and Flint River.
They have also been found in central Kentucky, in the Green River area. Scientists are not sure how many elegant madtoms are currently in Alabama.
Why Some Populations Are Small
Surveys show there are very few elegant madtoms in the middle and upper Tennessee River. This might be because there aren't enough good places for them to build nests. They like to nest under rocks in areas with small riffles (fast-moving, shallow water). However, they are common in the Green River and other lower rivers in Tennessee near Alabama.
What Do Elegant Madtoms Eat and How Do They Survive?
Elegant madtoms eat invertebrates. These are small creatures without backbones, like insects. From the time they are young until they are adults, they hunt for these tiny animals.
Facing Dangers in the Water
These fish face threats from bigger fish. Larger fish like the largemouth bass and other catfish might try to eat them. But the elegant madtom has a special defense! It has a venom delivery system. This means it can release a mild venom from glands in its spines. This helps to scare away predators or other fish that might compete for food.
Other animals that compete for the same invertebrate food include salamanders, lizards, and some snakes.
Their Preferred Home Environment
Elegant madtoms like to live in small rivers and creeks with gravel bottoms. They prefer areas where the water moves slowly, with only minor ripples. You can often find them hiding under large rocks.
Scientists are still learning about what non-living things, called abiotic factors, affect where the elegant madtom chooses to nest. Based on a similar species, the Noturus baileyi, it's thought that elegant madtoms prefer water with a pH of 6.2 to 7. They also like temperatures between 14.0 and 22.0 degrees Celsius (57.2 to 71.6 degrees Fahrenheit).
Human Impact on Their Homes
Things like dams, changes to land near rivers, and waterfalls can create barriers for elegant madtoms. Human activities, such as flooding a river or changing its structure, can destroy their habitat. They prefer shallow, slow-moving freshwater. Dams can also separate populations of these fish. This limits their ability to move to new habitats or find mates. Also, if toxic chemicals or new, non-native fish are introduced into a stream, it can harm small populations of elegant madtoms.
How Elegant Madtoms Reproduce
Elegant madtoms become ready to have babies about one year after they hatch from their eggs. After this year of growing, they will find a mate. They then build a nest under a rock in a river or stream. Rocks are very important for them. Without rocks, they cannot make a safe nest to protect their eggs.
Eggs and Lifespan
An average elegant madtom mother lays about 50 eggs. Scientists don't know much about exactly when or how often elegant madtoms mate. However, based on information from a similar species, Noturus baileyi, it's thought that they mate once a year. This usually happens between May and August. The average lifespan for an elegant madtom is two years.
Protecting the Elegant Madtom
The elegant madtom is not currently on any official lists of endangered or threatened species. However, scientists who study these fish have suggested that it should be listed as threatened. This would help protect them and their habitats.
See also
In Spanish: Noturus elegans para niños
