Noturus baileyi
Smoky Madtom
Larry Page
Identification
The Smoky Madtom has a slender body and a flat head, with the deepest point being beneath the dorsal fin. The body is olive-brown on the back and sides and white to yellow below. There are 4 pale yellow saddles along the middle of the back, barely visible laterally. The fins are clear or yellow to dusky brown. The mostly clear or yellow adipose fin has a dusky band that almost extends to the edge. The pectoral spine is short with 4-5 large teeth on the rear edge and small teeth on the front edge. The caudal fin has a straight edge and is joined to the adipose fin with a shallow notch between the two fins. The anal fin has 12-14 rays. To 2 ¾ in. (7.3 cm) total length.
Range
The Smoky Madtom is found in Citico Creek (Little Tennessee River system) in Monroe County, Tennessee. A population in Abrams Creek, Blount County, Tennessee, is thought to have been extirpated. The Smoky Madtom is rare and protected as an endangered species.
Distribution of Noturus baileyi. © Larry Page
Similar Species
The Least Madtom, Noturus hildebrandi, has a clear adipose fin without a dusky band and a white lower side. The Pygmy Madtom, Noturus stanauli, has a white-tipped snout, a white lower side, and 14-17 anal rays.
Title Illustrations
| Scientific Name | Noturus baileyi |
|---|---|
| Location | Citico Cr., Monroe Co., TN |
| Specimen Condition | Dead Specimen |
| Identified By | B. H. Bauer |
| Size | 51 mm SL |
| Copyright | © B. H. Bauer |
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 baileyi . Smoky Madtom. Version 23 May 2007 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Noturus_baileyi/69887/2007.05.23 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
