Noturus exilis Nelson, 1876
Slender madtom
photo by Lyons, J.

Family:  Ictaluridae (North American freshwater catfishes)
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 4 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: Green, Cumberland and Tennessee River drainages in central Kentucky to northern Alabama, USA; upper Mississippi River basin from southern Wisconsin and southern Minnesota to Ozark and Ouachita Highlands of Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma in USA.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Inhabits rocky riffles, runs, and flowing pools of clear creeks and small rivers. Rarely found in springs and along wave-swept margins of large impoundments (Ref. 5723, 10294). Feeds on aquatic insect immatures (midges, mayflies, caddisflies) and small crustacea (isopods, amphipods, copepods) (Ref. 10294).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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