Ouachita madtom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ouachita madtom |
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| The upper Saline River (drainage basin in dark yellow) and a few small tributaries of the Ouachita River are the only known water systems Ouachita madom is found in. |
The Ouachita madtom (Noturus lachneri) is a small catfish. It belongs to the family called Ictaluridae, which includes many types of catfish. Scientists first collected these fish in 1952. However, it took until 1969 for them to be officially recognized as a new species.
The Ouachita madtom is a tiny fish, growing to about 2.7 inches long. That's shorter than a standard pencil!
Contents
About the Ouachita Madtom
What Does It Look Like?
The Ouachita madtom looks a lot like another fish called the tadpole madtom. But there are a few key differences:
- The Ouachita madtom has only one internasal pore (a small opening near its nose). The tadpole madtom has two.
- The Ouachita madtom has 16 to 18 anal rays (small bones in its bottom fin). The tadpole madtom has only 14 to 16.
It also looks similar to the slender madtom. But the Ouachita madtom has more caudal rays (bones in its tail fin). It usually has eight pectoral rays (bones in its side fins), while the slender madtom has nine.
Where Does It Live? (Distribution)
The Ouachita madtom is a very special fish because it lives in only a few places. You can find it only in the upper parts of the Saline River system. It also lives in one small tributary that flows into the Ouachita River. Both of these rivers are located in Central Arkansas, in the United States.
Because it lives in such a small area, the Ouachita madtom has been listed as a vulnerable species. This means it could become endangered if we don't protect its home.
Its Home in the Water
The Ouachita madtom likes to live in clear, small to medium-sized streams. These streams usually have bottoms made of gravel. Scientists have even found them in very shallow parts of the Saline River. They also like to hide in quiet areas of the river called backwaters, often under large rocks.
How Does It Reproduce? (Life Cycle)
Scientists don't know a lot about how the Ouachita madtom reproduces. However, they did find six young Ouachita madtoms in a small stream on August 1, 1980. This stream was only about 3.9 feet wide.
Finding these young fish made scientists wonder if adult Ouachita madtoms move into smaller streams during the summer. They might do this to spawn, which means laying their eggs and having their babies there.
What Does It Eat?
The Ouachita madtom starts looking for food about 20 to 90 minutes after the sun sets. It eats a variety of small creatures found in the water. Here are some of its favorite foods:
- Mayflies (Ephemeropterans)
- Flies (Dipterans)
- Beetles (Coleopterans)
- Caddisflies (Trichopterans)
- Isopods (small crustaceans)
- Copepods (tiny crustaceans)
- Snails (Gastropods)
Dangers to the Ouachita Madtom
Several things can harm the Ouachita madtom and its home. These are called environmental threats:
- Dams and water control: When water supplies are blocked or controlled, it changes the natural flow of the river. This can hurt the fish's habitat.
- Gravel mining: Taking gravel from the riverbed can destroy the places where the fish live and lay eggs.
- Channelization: This is when rivers are straightened or deepened. It can remove important hiding spots and food sources for the fish.
- Clear cutting: Cutting down all the trees in an area near the river can cause soil to wash into the water. This makes the water muddy and unhealthy for the fish.
Protecting This Special Fish
The Ouachita madtom is protected by a very important law in the United States. This law is called the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This act helps protect animals and plants that are in danger of disappearing forever.
Because of this law, it is illegal to harm, catch, or trade Ouachita madtoms. Breaking this law can lead to very serious punishments. These can include large fines of up to $500,000 USD, or even a year in jail. Sometimes, both punishments can be given. There can also be additional fines of up to US$25,000. These rules are in place to make sure this unique fish is safe and can survive.
See also
In Spanish: Noturus lachneri para niños
