Noturus phaeus
Brown Madtom
Larry Page
Identification
The Brown Madtom has a stout body that is light to dark brown above, lighter below, with a pattern of tiny brown dots over the body. Dots are most conspicuous on the light underside of the head and belly. The anal fin is long with 20-22 rays and reaches the caudal fin. The upper jaw projects beyond the lower jaw. The pectoral spine has about 6 large teeth on the rear edge. The caudal fin is straight or slightly rounded. To 5 3/4 in. (15 cm) total length.
Range
The Brown Madtom is found in tributaries of the Mississippi River from the Obion River, Kentucky, to southwestern Mississippi, and from southern Arkansas to central Louisiana. It also occurs in tributaries of the Tennessee River in southwestern Tennessee, and northeastern Mississippi, and on the Gulf Slope in the Sabine River and Bayou Teche drainages in Louisiana, and the upper Yockanookany River, Mississippi. The species is locally common, but rare and isolated in streams on the Gulf Slope.
Distribution of Noturus phaeus. © Larry Page
Habitat
The Brown Madtom inhabits sandy and gravelly riffles and runs near debris, rocks, and undercut banks of creeks and small rivers.
Similar Species
The Black Madtom, Noturus funebris, is black or bluish above; has no or only a few small teeth on the rear edge of the pectoral spine and a longer anal fin with 21-27 rays. The Freckled Madtom, Noturus nocturnus, lacks dark dots or specks on the underside of the head and belly, and has 16-18 anal rays and 2-3 small teeth on the rear edge of the pectoral spine. The Speckled Madtom, Noturus leptacanthus, is more slender, has conspicuous black specks - some much larger than others - on the back and sides, 14-19 anal rays, and no teeth on the pectoral spine.
Title Illustrations
| Scientific Name | Noturus phaeus |
|---|---|
| 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 phaeus . Brown Madtom. Version 23 May 2007 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Noturus_phaeus/69902/2007.05.23 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/
