Mountain madtom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mountain madtom |
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The mountain madtom (Noturus eleutherus) is a small freshwater fish found in North America. It belongs to the Noturus group, which is part of the Ictaluridae family (catfishes). This fish was first described in the Big Pigeon River.
Mountain madtoms have strong bodies. They are known for a toxic sting from their pectoral (side) and dorsal (back) spines. A special effort called the Pigeon River Recovery Project is working to bring back the mountain madtom population in certain rivers. This fish is currently listed as a threatened species in Tennessee.
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Where Mountain Madtoms Live
The mountain madtom lives in many places across North America. You can find them in larger streams that are part of the Mississippi River system. This includes areas from southeastern Oklahoma all the way to western Pennsylvania.
East of the Mississippi River, they live in the Ohio River system. In the southeastern United States, they are found in the Cumberland and Tennessee River systems. They prefer areas with ridges and valleys.
Mountain madtoms are not usually found in places with very large rocks or where there isn't much plant life in the streams. They also avoid areas that were once covered by glaciers. They usually live alone, but sometimes you might find them with pygmy madtoms or stonecat madtoms.
How Mountain Madtoms Live
Mountain madtoms like clear, fast-flowing streams that are not too deep. They prefer streams with medium-sized rocks. They do not like sandy areas because they are sensitive to silt (fine dirt) in the water. Human activities like farming or logging can cause silt to enter streams, which harms these fish.
These fish are often found in streams with limestone rocks, which can affect the water's pH level. Mountain madtoms eat mostly aquatic insects. They hunt at night and hide under large, flat rocks during the day.
All fish in the Noturus group have spines on their fins. Some of these spines have a venomous sting. The mountain madtom has both serrated (saw-like) spines and a venomous sting. These spines help protect them from predators. They do not use their spines to catch food. Building dams can also harm mountain madtoms because they need fast-flowing water to survive.
Mountain Madtom Life Cycle
Young mountain madtoms are usually about 20-30 millimeters long. Adult mountain madtoms grow to be about 75–127 millimeters long. They typically live for 4 to 5 years.
Scientists are not sure exactly when these fish become old enough to have babies, because they are quite secretive. One study found a nest with eggs under a rock in a stream with a moderate flow. A male mountain madtom was guarding the nest.
A female mountain madtom can lay between 55 and 115 eggs. This is a small number compared to other fish, but mountain madtoms provide a lot of care for their young. They usually breed in June or July. Silt in the streams can cause the eggs to suffocate, which is very bad for the population. The best temperature for the eggs to hatch is 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit).
Protecting Mountain Madtoms
In Tennessee, the mountain madtom is listed as a threatened species. This means its population is at risk. However, across the entire country, it is considered "apparently secure."
There are no specific plans just for the mountain madtom right now. But there is a project called The Pigeon River Recovery Project. This project has helped bring back many types of fish and mussels, including the mountain madtom, to the Pigeon River. Years ago, a factory polluted the Pigeon River, which killed almost all the living things downstream.
Because mountain madtoms are so secretive, we don't know all the reasons for their decline. However, since they are very sensitive to silt, it is believed that poor logging practices long ago harmed their populations.
Mountain madtoms are not caught for sport or food by fishermen. So, overfishing is not a problem for them. Also, nothing has been noted to prey on the mountain madtom, likely because of its venomous sting and spines.
See also
In Spanish: Noturus eleutherus para niños
