AquaticRepublic.com - Noturus insignis (Ictaluridae) All Fishes

Delaware River, USA
Juvenile-55mm, Rivanna River, Virginia
Juvenile-55mm, Rivanna River, Virginia
Juvenile-55mm, Rivanna River, Virginia
Head-on view
Habitat: Rivanna River, Virginia, USA
Habitat: Rivanna River, Virginia, USA
Close-up of head
Juvenile, 55mm. Rivanna River, Virginia

All Fishes Data Sheet
Scientific Name	**Noturus insignis** (Richardson, 1836)
Common Names	Margined Madtom Sortfinnet Giftmalle (Denmark)
Type Locality	Vicinity of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Synonym(s)	Noturus marginatus, Pimelodon insignarius, Pimelodus insigne, Pimelodus lemniscatus, Schilbeodes marginatus, Schilbeodes marginatus atrorus
Pronunciation	no two russ - in SIG niss
Etymology	From the Greek notos, meaning back and oura, meaning tail. In reference to the confluent adipose and caudal fins. The specific name comes from the Latin insignis, meaning distinguished, in reference to the distinctly marked fins.
Species Information
Size	150mm or 5.9" SL. Find near, nearer or same sized spp.
Identification	Yellow to slate gray above; white or light below; yellow or light gray fins. upper jaw projects beyond lower jaw. 15-21 anal rays.
Sexing	Breeding male with swollen lips,enlarged cephalic epaxial muscles, and large bulbous gentital papilla. Female with papilla with deep median groove ending in a small bump
General Remarks	Inhabits rocky riffles and runs of clear, fast creeks and small to medium rivers.
Habitat Information
Distribution	North America: Atlantic Slope from St. Lawrence River and southeastern Lake Ontario drainages in New York to upper Altamaha River drainage in Georgia, USA; upper Kanawha (New) River system in Virginia and North Carolina, USA; upper Monongahela River system in the USA. North American Atlantic Drainages (click on these areas to find other species found there) Login to view the map.
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	Highly oxygenated water not necessary but preferred.
Husbandry Information
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.Ideal tank mates include small-midsized North american native fishes such as darters and shiners.
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. Nests are sited beneath flat rocks in gentle runs and in slow water above and below riffles. Eggs number 54-200 per clutch and are guarded by the male.
Breeding Reports	There is no breeding report.
Further Information
Reference	Fauna Boreali-Americana Part 3, pp 132.
Registered Keepers	There is no registered keeper.
Wishlists	Love this species? Click the heart to add it to your wish list. There is no wish to keep this species.
Spotters	Spotted this species somewhere? Click the binoculars! There are 5 records of this fish being seen, view them all.
Forum BBCode

	Look up N. insignis on PlanetCatfish.com
	Look up N. insignis on Fishbase
	Look up N. insignis on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up N. insignis on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.5.32.1080
Last Update	2025 Jan 01 12:19 (species record created: 2003 Aug 16 00:00)