Noturus nocturnus
Freckled Madtom
Larry Page
Identification
The Freckled Madtom is dark brown or gray above with a pattern of tiny dark dots over the body and fins. It is light yellow or white below without dark dots or specks. The anal fin has a black edge; other fins are dark at the base and lighten toward the edge. There are 2-3 small teeth on the rear edge of the pectoral spine and 16-18 anal rays. The rear edge of caudal fin is straight or slightly rounded. To 5 3/4 in. (15 cm) total length.
Range
The Freckled Madtom is found in the Mississippi River basin from northern Illinois to Louisiana, and from eastern Kentucky to central Kansas and Oklahoma, and in Gulf Slope drainages from Mobile Bay, Alabama, to the Guadalupe River, Texas. The species is common in most of its range.
Distribution of Noturus nocturnus. © Larry Page
Habitat
The Freckled Madtom is found most often near woody debris and among tree roots along undercut banks in creeks to large rivers.
Similar Species
The Black Madtom, Noturus funebris, is more black than brown and has a pattern of tiny black dots on the underside of the head and belly and 21-27 anal rays. The Brown Madtom, Noturus phaeus, has a pattern of tiny brown dots on the underside of the head and belly, 20-22 anal rays, and large sawlike teeth on the rear edge of the pectoral spine. The Speckled Madtom, Noturus leptacanthus, has conspicuous black specks - some much larger than others - on the back and sides and no teeth on the pectoral spine.
Title Illustrations
| Scientific Name | Noturus nocturnus |
|---|---|
| Location | Oblon Cr., Hickman Co., KY |
| Specimen Condition | Dead Specimen |
| Identified By | L. M. Page |
| Sex | Male |
| Life Cycle Stage | Adult |
| Size | 46 mm SL |
| Copyright |
© Larry Page
|
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 nocturnus . Freckled Madtom. Version 23 May 2007 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Noturus_nocturnus/69909/2007.05.23 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
