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Noturus insignis (Richardson, 1836)

Image contributors to this species:

Dustin Smith (1) Birger Kamprath (3) Tim Aldridge (3)

ScotCat Sources:

Other Sources:

Relevant Information:

Description: The upper jaw projects beyond the lower jaw. The rear edge of the pectoral spine has large teeth. The caudal fin edge is straight or slightly rounded. The anal fin has 15-21 rays. Habitat: Inhabits rocky riffles and runs of clear, fast creeks and small to medium rivers. Colouration: The body of the Margined Madtom is yellow to slate gray above and white or light below. The fins are yellow or light gray and the median fins, except for the adipose fin, have a black edge. Fin borders are blackest in clear streams and may be only dusky in color in turbid water. Individuals in the Dan River, Virginia, have dark spots on the body and fins. 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: The specific name insignis: Latin for distinguished by marks or remarkable/extraordinary; Richardson did not provide a description, instead referring to “Pimelodon livrée” of Lesueur (1819), who was struck by its “second dorsal fin” (translation), i.e., its long adipose fin connected to the tail, a feature that would have been considered unique at the time, and the black margins on its dorsal, pectoral, anal and caudal fins.

Common Name:

Margined madtom

Synonyms:

Pimelodus insigne

Family:

Ictaluridae

Distribution:

North America: Atlantic Slope from St. Lawrence River and southeastern Lake Ontario drainages in New York to upper Altamaha River drainage in Georgia, USA; upper Kanawha (New) River system in Virginia and North Carolina, USA; upper Monongahela River system in the USA.

Size:

12.0cm. (4¾ins)

Temp:

15-23°C (57-73°F)

p.H.

6.5-7.0.

IUCN Red List

Listed as Least Concern in view of the large extent of occurrence, large number of subpopulations, large population size, and lack of major threats. Trend over the past 10 years or three generations is uncertain but likely relatively stable, or the species may be declining but not fast enough to qualify for any of the threatened categories under Criterion A (reduction in population size), (needs updating IUCN 2013).

Reference:

Florida Museum of Natural History
NatureServe. 2013. Noturus insignis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013.
The ETYFish Project Fish Name Etymology Database © Christopher Scharpf.

Family: Ictaluridae Back to Ident-A-Cat Click on Thumbnails

Noturus insignis

Noturus insignis

Noturus insignis
From the Dan River near Virginia

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