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Scott Smith (2) Brian Wulker (1) Lawrence Kent (3)

Description: The adipose fin is connected with the tail fin, but appears to be separate. The frontmost patch of teeth on the roof of the mouth lacks backward extensions. Although the pectoral fin spines are curved and strongly toothed along the rear margin, as in the northern madtom (Noturus stigmosus), the front margin is weakly toothed (strongly toothed in the northern madtom). The mountain madtom is found in clean, moderate to swift-flowing large streams or rivers with a bottom of large stones, rubble, gravel and sand. Habitat: Restricted to French Broad River and larger tributaries near Hot Springs, Madison County. It is usually found in deep, fast riffles, sometimes in dense vegetation attached to the bottom material. It is apparently very sensitive to siltation and other pollutants. Colouration: Dark brown bar on caudal fin base. Usually four vague dorsal saddles. Aquarium Care: The Madtoms are well suited to aquarium life. Provide river gravel and smooth rounded stones for hiding places during the day. A power filter at one end of the tank will provide the conditions of a flowing stream for these catfish. Can be housed with other North American fishes such as minnows, darters and shiners. Diet: They like most meaty food, such as cut-up earth worms, frozen blood worm and prawns. They will also take tablet and pellet foods. A varied diet will keep them in optimum health. Etymology: eleutherus meaning free, referring to the incomplete fusion of the posterior portion of the adipose fin to the body. Remarks: In Tennessee the mountain madtom is listed as threatened. Nationally it is listed as apparently secure. There is currently no specific management in effect for the mountain madtom. There is, however, The Pigeon River Recovery Project. This project has reintroduced many species of darters, mussels, and the mountain madtom to the Pigeon River. At one time there was a mill that pumped waste into the Pigeon River that killed almost all the organisms downstream of the mill. Because of the secrecy of the mountain madtom, the exact causes of its decline are not known. However, since it is very sensitive to silt, poor logging practices at the turn of the century are believed to have been detrimental to the population. The mountain madtom is not a sport fish or pan fish and is not favored by fishermen, except for biologists doing research, so overfishing is not a problem. Nothing has ever been noted to prey on the mountain madtom, due to its venomous sting and spines, so predation is not a problem for it either (Felbaum, Mitchell, et al 1995). In the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species they state that localised threats may exist, but on a range-wide scale no major threats are known.

Mountain Madtom

Schilbeodes gallowayi

Ictaluridae

North America: Ohio, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Ouachita and Red River systems. Type locality: French Broad River, Tennessee.

13.0cm. (5¼ins)

16-23°C (59-73°F)

6.5-7.2.

Coombs, A., Joyce. 2011. Bringing Back Aquatic Diversity: The pigeon River Recovery Project.
Felbaum, Mitchell, et al. Endangered and Threatened Species of Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, PA: Wild Resource Conservation Fund, 1995.
NatureServe. 2007. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 6.2. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia.
ncfishes.com Freshwater Fishes of North Carolina.
Noturus eleutherus Jordan, 1877 Observed in United States of America by Brian Wulker. GBIF 17/10/2020 (CC).
Schleser David M.; North American Native Fishes for the Home Aquarium. Barron's Educational Series. Inc. 1998. 169 p.