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Speckled Madtom (Noturus leptacanthus)

The aquarium trade seems to have a blind spot for dwarf coldwater catfish—most pond safe species on the market are large, gnarly, hostile critters including, but not limited to; channel, blue, and bullhead cats, none of them at all suitable for the average aquarium. Therefore, we shall direct our attention to the speckled madtom, among North America’s smallest catfish---peaceable, cute, and compact (growing to only to a maximum tail length of 4".

Native to the deep, fast flowing currents of rivers throughout the southeastern US, the speckled madtom is quite suitable for outdoor ponds in milder areas of the states. It being such a small fish, however, requires that it be taken in for the winter in areas where winter climates drop below the mid forties. That being said, goldfish are generally too large and robust for the madtom, and therefore should not be housed together. Rather, smaller, less rambunctious fish such as smaller sunfish, darters, bitterlings, shiners, and livebearers would make much more suitable tankmates. When housing indoors, a heater is unnecessary.

This fish, as with most of its genus, is a carnivore, and often a predator at that. Quarry ranges from invertebrates to fish, and even the occasional amphibian, should our catfish in question and an unsuspecting tadpole ever cross paths. Do not mistaken this for the doings of a bloodthirsty predator, as this fish is anything but. Being opportunistic feeders, they will gladly scavenge any scraps of flake or pellet off the substrate. With a hearty bi-daily feeding, smaller tank mates should have little to worry about. A word of note—long finned tank mates tend not to stay as such for very long. In fact, when not foraging for food, they are actually somewhat shy and easily startled or bullied. Therefore, cover is to be provided; tangled bogwood and terracotta pots are most appreciated.

Tank décor should be simple and sweet---smooth, rocky substrate (fine silt or sand with large river stones scattered in at random is preferable) with the aforementioned hiding cavities. Plants tend not to last very long, as they are constantly uprooted. As with most catfish, they are quite territorial, and quarrels amongst conspecifics can appear vicious, but little damage, if any, is done. To inoculate this situation altogether, plenty of décor is needed, with no less then ten gallons per fish. Keep in mind that this pertains only to others of the species. One final noteworthy comment—these fish have a rather painful (and slightly poisonous) ray jutting from the front of it’s dorsal fin. Few deaths have been reported as a result of “madtom poisoning”, but extra precaution should be taken, as, while it may not be life threatening, the damage is still quite painful.