Noturus flavipinnis
yellowfin madtom

Noturus flavipinnis (yellowfin madtom) can be found only in the upper portion of the Tennessee River drainage, in the Powell River and Citico Creek in Tennessee, and in Copper Creek in Virginia. Before 1893, yellowfin madtom populations could also be found in North Fork Holston River in Virginia, Hines Creek in Tennessee, and Chickamauga Creek in Georgia. (Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Page and Burr, 2005; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1996; Virginia Tech Fish and Wildlife Information Exchange, 1996)

Noturus flavipinnis inhabits pools and backwaters of streams, where it can find cover beneath tree roots, sunken leaves, brush piles, or bedrock ledges. Individuals can be found in shallow pools less than one meter deep, and are usually not found further down than two meters in deeper pools. The streams where Noturus flavipinnis can be found are clean, with little siltation. Spawning habitat may be in the cleaner substrate of quicker currents than their usual habitat. (Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Page and Burr, 2005; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1996; Virginia Tech Fish and Wildlife Information Exchange, 1996)

Noturus flavipinnis is a small member of the catfish family (Ictaluridae), with a maximum standard length of 115 mm. The dorsal area and fins have a yellowish tinge. There are dark blotches beneath the dorsal fin origin, behind the dorsal fin, and at the adipose fin base. The caudal fin base has a crescent-shaped dark bar crossing it, and the dorsal fin has a dark medial stripe. The pectoral spine has well-developed anterior and posterior serrae. Caudal fin rays number 54 to 63, pelvic fin rays 8, sometimes 7. Anal fin rays number 14 to 16, and there are usually two internasal pores.

Similar species include Noturus baileyi (smoky madtom), but this species can be distinguished from yellowfin madtom by its nearly complete lack of dark pigmentation on the dorsal and caudal fins. (Etnier and Etnier, 2001; Etnier and Starnes, 1993; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1996; Virginia Tech Fish and Wildlife Information Exchange, 1996)

The hatching size of Noturus flavipinnis larvae is approximately 8 mm standard length. The development times for the species are unknown, but they probably depend upon temperatures of the water. After one summer's growth, the young reach lengths of approximately 50 mm. Both sexes become reproductively mature in the third summer of their lives, when they have reached a length of approximately 100 mm. They will live to be 3 to 4 years old, and will probably only spawn twice in their lifetime. (Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Virginia Tech Fish and Wildlife Information Exchange, 1996)

Noturus flavipinnis has a typical lifespan of 3-4 years; the maximum reported age is 4 years. (Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Page and Burr, 2005)

Noturus flavipinnis is not a territorial fish year-round, but males guard eggs and larvae during the breeding season. Noturus flavipinnis young seem to prefer smaller substrates such as sand or gravel, rather than the cobble, slab and bedrocks that the adults favor. This species is nocturnal and feeds mostly at night, remaining hidden under cover of rocks, sunken leaves, and brush during the day. (Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Virginia Tech Fish and Wildlife Information Exchange, 1996)

Home Range

Noturus flavipinnis is a sedentary fish. Individuals tend live in certain pools and rarely move to others. (Virginia Tech Fish and Wildlife Information Exchange, 1996)

Yellowfin madtoms are capable of vision and hearing, but probably rely most heavily on touch and chemoreception. The barbels on the face are specialized for these senses, and are probably adaptations to a nocturnal and secretive lifestyle. (Virginia Tech Fish and Wildlife Information Exchange, 1996)

Feeding by Noturus flavipinnis takes place mainly at night. It may, however, sometimes feed during the day. Its diet consists mostly of aquatic insect larvae, but crayfish may also be eaten. This species may exhibit some preferences in diet, but it is also an opportunistic feeder. It is also known to be a benthic feeder. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1996; Virginia Tech Fish and Wildlife Information Exchange, 1996)

Little is known about the interspecies relationships of yellowfin madtoms. Their specific predators are not known. They do, however exibit cryptic coloring and hiding behavior, which are common predator avoidance strategies. (Virginia Tech Fish and Wildlife Information Exchange, 1996)

Yellowfin madtoms are benthic secondary consumers. They feed on primary consumers and provide prey for larger carnivores. They may have some effects on the bottom substrate within their home pools, although these are not well known.

As Noturus flavipinnis is a federally listed species, some local businesses or industries may be impacted by conservation laws. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1996)

Yellowfin madtoms are not economically important.

Noturus flavipinnis is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red list, and as threatened on the United States Endangered Species Act list. (Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Page and Burr, 2005; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1996; USGS - Florida Integrated Science Center, 2005; Virginia Tech Fish and Wildlife Information Exchange, 1996)