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Scientific Name Noturus phaeus  Taylor, 1969
Common Names Brown Madtom
Brun Giftmalle (Denmark)
Type Locality North Fork of Obion River, at state highway 69, Henry County, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Pronunciation no two russ
Etymology From the Greek notos, meaning back and oura, meaning tail. In reference to the confluent adipose and caudal fins. This specific epithet refers to the sometimes-hue of twilight (brown), which is the colour of this specimen.
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Size 150mm or 5.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification Robust species. Many brown specks on underside of head and belly. Long anal fin,20-22 rays; narrow space between anal fin base and caudal fin. Upper jaw projects beyond lower jaw. Uniform light to dark brown above; brown fins; sometimes light edge on median fins.
Sexing Breeding male with swollen lips,enlarged cephalic epaxial muscles, and large bulbous genital papilla. Female with papilla with deep median groove ending in a small bump
General Remarks Inhabits sand-gravel riffles and runs among debris, rocks and undercut banks of springs, creeks and small rivers.
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Distribution North America; Mississippi River tributaries in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi, USA; and in southern Arkansas, Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi, USA; Tennessee River tributaries in western Tennessee and northwestern Alabama, USA; Sabine River and Bayou Teche drainages in Alabama.
Gulf Coast Drainages, Mississippi, Lower Mississippi, Bayou Teche (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Gulf Coast Drainages, Sabine (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Gulf Coast Drainages, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Gulf Coast Drainages, Mississippi, Middle Mississippi (click on these areas to find other species found there)
Gulf Coast Drainages, Mississippi, Lower Mississippi (click on these areas to find other species found there)

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IUCN Red List Category Least Concern, range map and more is available on the IUCN species page. Last assessed 2012.
pH 6.2 - 7.0
Temperature 14.0-22.0°C or 57.2-71.6°F (Show species within this range)
Other Parameters Well oxygenated water is required.
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Feeding Readily feeds on live and frozen foods. Will also adapt to flake and prepared foods for the aquarium. User data.
Furniture Provide sand mixed with peat moss,pvc pipes,flat rocks and vegetation .
Compatibility Suitable for a coldwater community tank.
Suggested Tankmates Ideal tankmates include small to midsized North American native fishes such as darters and shiners.
Breeding Spawning occurs in the months of may-august. It is difficult in the aquarium however it has been done when wild caught specimens are added to aquariums with warmer temperatures than the river or drainage system they are captured from.
Breeding Reports There is no breeding report.
Hop to next section Further Information
Reference Bulletin of the United States National Museum No. 282, pp 100, Pls. 3 (fig. 8), 7 (fig. 2).
Registered Keepers There is no registered keeper.
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There is no record of this fish being seen.
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Last Update 2019 Sep 14 03:42 (species record created: 2001 Apr 25 00:00)