Noturus flavus
Stonecat

Stonecats (Noturus flavus) are native to the Neartic region. They occur throughout the upper Mississippi Basin, much of the Great Lakes drainage, and in the Hudson Bay drainage in the Red River (Etnier and Starnes, 1993). Their range extends north into some Canadian provinces such as Ontario and Alberta. (Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Hammerson, 2005)

Stonecats live in freshwater environments. They are found in large creeks and small rivers. They occasionally occur in tiny creeks or rivers as large as the lower Mississippi (Etnier and Starnes, 1993). Stonecats occupy gently- to fast-moving riffle areas that have a rocky substrate. Stonecats spend the majority of their time in moderate moving, shallow riffles. They can also be found in deeper water in the 2 to 3 meter range. Stonecats also occur in natural lakes such as Lake Erie. There they prefer rock and gravel bars that are subject to a lot of wave action. (Branson and Batch, 1974; Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Hammerson, 2005; Kline and Morgan, 2000)

Stonecats are tan to gray dorsally and yellowish to white ventrally. The adipose fin is attached to the back of the stonecat throughout its entire length. The adipose fin is separated from the caudal fin by a notch. The pectoral fin lacks any posterior serrae. Anal fin rays number 15 to 18, pectoral fin rays 9 to 11, and pelvic fin rays 8 to 10. The caudal fin rays number 55 to 67. Stonecats also have a pale margin outlining the caudal fin. They have a premaxillary band of teeth located on the roof of their mouth that has backward extensions. This tooth patch is absent in other species of madtoms. (Eddy and Underhill, 1974; Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Trautman, 1981)

In the first year in South Dakota young reached 79 mm. In the third through the fourth years they averaged 99, 114, and 137 mm. (Eddy and Underhill, 1974; Etnier and Starnes, 1993)

Stonecats form monogamous pairs for breeding. (Eddy and Underhill, 1974; Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Hammerson, 2005)

Stonecats spawn when water temperatures reach 25 degree C. The female deposits a jelly like cluster of eggs that number from 100-500 on the underside of flat stones or other, similar structures. The male is thought to guard the nest until the young hatch. Some believe that the female also may play a role in guarding the eggs. The adults will guard the nest until the young are ready to leave. (Eddy and Underhill, 1974; Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Hammerson, 2005)

The nest is guarded by what is thought to be the male, but some believe the female also takes part in guarding the young. It is more commonly understood that the male does all or most of the guarding of the young from the time the eggs are laid until the time the eggs hatch. The male continues to guard the fry until they leave the nest. (Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Hammerson, 2005; Trautman, 1981)

The lifespan of stonecats in captivity is not known. In an Illinois population the lifespan was only 5 to 6 years. The max reported age was 7 years. (Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Page and Burr, 1991)

Both adult and juvenile stonecats exhibit nocturnal behavior. They spend their days under rocks and woody structure where it is dark. They come out at night to feed in the shallows. (Hammerson, 2005)

No information was present on home range of stonecats. Due to the sedentary behavior of stonecats, it would leave one to believe that their home range would be small in size. (Hammerson, 2005)

Stonecats like the other members of the catfish family, have barbels and dermal taste buds that are used for the location of food. Dermal taste buds are located on the edipermis of the fish rather than the mouth. (Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Trautman, 1981)

Stonecats are primarily invertivores. The young will feed upon the larvae of mayflies (Ephemeroptera), stoneflies (Plecoptera) caddisflies (Trichoptera), and midges (Chironomidae). Adult stonecats will feed on mainly mayfly larvae and crayfish (Astacoidea), but they will also take small darters and minnows. (Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Hammerson, 2005)

The main predators of stonecats are larger freshwater fishes. Humans often catch stonecats and use them as bait for other freshwater species of fish. (Eddy and Underhill, 1974; Etnier and Starnes, 1993; Trautman, 1981)

Stonecats are neither commensal nor mutualist partners with other species. However they are known to host one mussel species, (Epioblasma obliquata obliquata). (Cummings and Watters, 2004)

Stonecats serve as indicators of water quality. They are not present in highly polluted areas or areas with a large amount of siltation. Stonecats are a very valuable indicator species to humans. (; Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 2002; Trautman, 1981)

The only problem stonecats may pose for a human is their ability to puncture a person's skin and inflict a painful sting, similar to a wasp. They have a gland at the base of their pectoral and dorsal fins that was thought to secrete a toxin. Recent research shows that the membrane surrounding the spine is responsible for the toxin. The effect of the basal gland is unknown. (; Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 2002; Etnier and Starnes, 1993)

The IUCN Red List, CITIES appendices, and the US Endangered Species Act list the status of Noturus flavus as not threatened or no special status, meaning that there is no threat of this species going extinct.

Stonecats are good indicators of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) populations. It seems if there is a good population of stonecats in the area, there will also be a good number of smallmouth bass. (Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 2002)