Least madtom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Least madtom |
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The Noturus hildebrandi, also known as the least madtom, is a type of catfish. It is a small fish found in rivers and creeks in the southeastern United States. Its natural home stretches from the Obion River in Kentucky down to the Homochitto River in Mississippi.
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What Does a Least Madtom Look Like?
The least madtom is a small, thin fish. It has a flat head and can grow up to about 6.9 centimeters long. That's less than 3 inches!
Its adipose fin (a small, fleshy fin on its back) is usually clear or white. However, some least madtoms in Mississippi have a dark spot on this fin. Their body color can change depending on where they live.
There are two main types, or subspecies, of least madtoms: Noturus h. hildebrandi and Noturus h. lautus.
- N. h. hildebrandi lives in the Homochitto River. It has a long head and a spotted, mixed color pattern.
- N. h. lautus lives in the Obion River area. This type has a shorter head and four light-colored oval spots on its reddish-brown to black back.
Male and female least madtoms look exactly the same. Most of these fish live for about 12 to 15 months. They usually die soon after they have babies.
Where Does the Least Madtom Live?
The least madtom likes to live in sandy or rocky riffles. Riffles are shallow, fast-moving parts of a stream or river. They also live in creeks, calm pools, and small rivers.
You can often find them in shallow areas. They like places with submerged logs, sticks, leaves, and other natural debris. This debris gives them places to hide and find food.
Least Madtom Reproduction
Least madtoms have their babies during the summer. Their spawning season runs from June through August. During this time, the male fish grow a bit bigger. Female fish usually have babies in their second summer of life.
To get ready for spawning, adult least madtoms find shelter. They might hide alone or in pairs under stones, shells, or in piles of debris. A female usually lays about 19 orange eggs in these hidden spots. Both parents stay to guard the nest while the eggs grow. The eggs hatch in about 8 to 9 days. After hatching, it takes another 9 to 10 days for the baby fish to use up their yolk sac for food.
What Do Least Madtoms Eat?
The least madtom eats many different kinds of small invertebrates. Invertebrates are creatures without a backbone, like insects. They eat about 16 different types of these tiny animals.
Midges are their favorite food. These small, fly-like insects make up most of their diet. After midges, caddisfly larvae are the next most common food. Caddisfly larvae are insect young that live in water. Least madtoms also eat small crustaceans, but only in late winter and early spring. The size of the food they eat depends on how big the fish is.
See also
In Spanish: Noturus hildebrandi para niños
