AquaticRepublic.com - Noturus phaeus (Ictaluridae) All Fishes

Male guarding small yellow eggs

All Fishes Data Sheet
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.
Species Information
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.
Habitat Information
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) 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	Well oxygenated water is required.
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.
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.
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.
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 is no record of this fish being seen.
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	Look up N. phaeus on Encyclopedia of Life
	Look up N. phaeus on Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	LFS label creator ARN ref:1.5.32.54
Last Update	2025 Jan 01 12:19 (species record created: 2001 Apr 25 00:00)