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Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves (1) Birger Kamprath (4) Lawrence Kent (3)

Noturus flavus is commonly called the 'Stonecat' because of its tendency to hide beneath flat rocks in fast flowing riffles and runs among stones on the river bed, where it resides in moderate to large streams. Description: The body is slender, and compressed posteriorly; the head and nape are broad and depressed; the mouth is subterminal; eye small to moderate. The pectoral spine is straight; the surface usually only roughened, and lacking prominent serrae. The genital papilla is conical and a ventral apical notch is present. The upper jaw projects beyond the lower jaw and the tooth pad on the upper jaw has a narrow, crescent-shaped extension on each side. The notch between adipose and tail fins are closer to tip of tail fin than to the dorsal fin base. The dorsal fin has 1 spine, (5)6 rays. The upper caudal rays number (27)29-33(36) and the lower caudal rays (26)27-31(33). Anal rays 15-18(19); pelvic rays (8)9-10; the pectoral has 1 spine and 9-11 rays. Habitat: Inhabits rubble and boulder riffles and runs of creeks and small to large rivers, and gravel shoals of lakes. 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: Adults feed on mayfly larvae and crayfish. In the aquarium 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: The specific name flavus: Meaning yellow.

Stonecat

None

Ictaluridae

North America: St. Lawrence-Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River) and Mississippi  River basins from Quebec to Alberta in Canada, and south to northern Alabama, northern Mississippi, and northeastern Oklahoma, USA; Hudson River drainage in New York, USA.

22.5cm. (9ins)

05-23°C (37-73°F)

6.5-7.0.

Etnier, D.A. and W.C. Starnes 1993 The fishes of Tennessee. The University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.
Schleser David M.; North American Native Fishes for the Home Aquarium. Barron's Educational Series. Inc. 1998. 169 p.
ScotCat Factsheet no. 42. Dec. 1999.