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Noturus hildebrandi (Bailey & Taylor, 1950) Least madtom |
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photo by
Page, L.M. |
| Family: | Ictaluridae (North American freshwater catfishes) | |||
| Max. size: | 6.9 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; freshwater | |||
| Distribution: | North America: tributaries of Mississippi River from North Fork Obion River in southwestern Kentucky to Homochitto River in southern Mississippi, USA. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Anal soft rays: 12-17. Body slender; head flat. Adipose fin white or clear; pectoral fin short with 4-5 large sawlike teeth on rear edge; absence or presence of small teeth on front edge; rear edge of caudal fin straight or with slightly rounded corners; adipose and caudal fins broadly joined with tiny notch between. Color geographically variable. There are 2 subspecies: Noturus hildebrandi latus with shorter head and with 4 white or light yellow oval areas on uniform red-brown to black back; is strongly bicolored with brown to black upper side, white or yellow below. Noturus hildebrandi hildebrandi possesses longer head and prominently blotched color pattern above and almost to belly (Ref. 86798). | |||
| Biology: | Inhabits mixed rock and sand riffles and runs of clear lowland creeks and small rivers. Often found near debris (Ref. 5723, 86798). Feeds on midge and caddis larvae, together with mayfly and stonefly nymphs (Ref. 10294). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2012 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||
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