Fish
Pygmy Madtom
Noturus stanauli · also called pygmy madtoms
Hidden among clean gravel riffles in one of the few Tennessee River tributaries it still occupies, a pygmy madtom represents one of the smallest and rarest catfish species anywhere in North America, its entire known population confined to a strikingly narrow stretch of stream.
Overview
The pygmy madtom, Noturus stanauli, is a tiny catfish native to a small number of specific tributary streams within the Tennessee River system. Its status as one of the smallest catfish species in North America, extremely narrow known range, and classification as one of the rarest freshwater fish on the continent make it one of the most conservation-critical native fish species found in the United States.
A fish barely holding on in a handful of streams
With its entire known population confined to just a few specific stream reaches, the pygmy madtom’s survival depends almost entirely on the continued cleanliness and stability of an extraordinarily small stretch of Tennessee River tributary habitat.
Status
Endangered, restricted to an extremely narrow range within a small number of Tennessee River tributary streams and considered one of the rarest freshwater fish in North America.
Pygmy Madtom: common questions
How small is the pygmy madtom?
This species is one of the smallest catfish species found anywhere in North America, notably tiny even compared with other members of the madtom group, which are themselves already smaller than most other catfish species on the continent.
Why is the pygmy madtom considered endangered?
This species is known from only a small number of specific stream reaches within Tennessee River tributaries, and because this already extremely narrow range depends on clean, well-oxygenated gravel riffle habitat highly sensitive to sedimentation and pollution, the species is considered one of the rarest freshwater fish in North America and is classified as Endangered.
Can the pygmy madtom sting?
Yes, like other madtoms, this species has venomous spines on its pectoral and dorsal fins capable of delivering a painful sting if the fish is handled carelessly, a defensive feature shared broadly across the madtom group despite the pygmy madtom's notably small overall size.
Where is the pygmy madtom found?
This species is native to a small number of specific tributary streams within the Tennessee River system, an extremely narrow range that makes it one of the most geographically restricted fish species found anywhere in North America.