Noturus miurus
Brindled Madtom
Larry Page
Identification
The Brindled Madtom has a stout body with the deepest point located in front of the dorsal fin. The body is light yellow or brown above with dark mottling and 4 vague saddles, and is white to yellow below. The top 1/3 of the dorsal fin has a black blotch extending across the 1st 3-5 rays. A black saddle under the adipose fin extends through the fin to its edge. The caudal fin is rounded and has a brown or black border. Other fins have brown or black mottling. The adipose fin is broadly joined to the caudal fin. The pectoral spine has large teeth on the front (usually 5-9) and rear. The anal fin has 13-17 rays. To 5 in. (13 cm) total length.
Range
The Brindled Madtom is found in the lower Great Lakes drainages, Ontario and New York, southwest through most of the Ohio River basin and the lower Mississippi River basin. It occurs as far west as eastern Kansas and Oklahoma. It also is found in the Mohawk River, New York, and the Pearl River and Lake Pontchartrain drainages on the central Gulf Slope, Mississippi and Louisiana. This species is common.
Distribution of Noturus miurus. © Larry Page
Habitat
The Brindled Madtom lives in rocky and sandy riffles, runs and flowing pools in creeks and small rivers, and along rocky margins of lakes. It often is found among woody debris.
Similar Species
The Checkered Madtom, Noturus flavater, has a broad black bar at the caudal fin base, an adipose fin free from the caudal fin, a straight rear edge on the caudal fin, and prominent saddles. The Yellowfin Madtom, Noturus flavipinnis, lacks a dark blotch on the dorsal fin, and has a straight rear edge on the caudal fin and usually 2 light spots in front of the dorsal fin.
Title Illustrations
| Scientific Name | Noturus miurus |
|---|---|
| Location | Terrapin Cr. In Mississippi River Basin, Alderice Rd. Bridge Crossing, Graves Co., KY |
| Specimen Condition | Dead Specimen |
| Identified By | M. R. Thomas |
| Life Cycle Stage | Adult |
| Copyright | © M. R. Thomas |
About This Page
Larry Page
Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida, USA
Correspondence regarding this page should be directed to Larry Page at and Griffin Sheehy at
Page copyright © 2007 Larry Page
All Rights Reserved.
- First online 23 May 2007
- Content changed 23 May 2007
Citing this page:
Page, Larry. 2007. Noturus miurus . Brindled Madtom. Version 23 May 2007 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Noturus_miurus/69880/2007.05.23 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
