Fish
Stonecat
Noturus flavus · also called stonecats
An angler reaching beneath a flat rock in a clean, rocky stream pulls back sharply as a stonecat delivers a genuinely painful sting from its spines, a defensive jolt considerably more serious than most of its smaller, milder madtom relatives could ever produce.
Overview
The stonecat, Noturus flavus, is the largest species within the madtom group of small catfish, native to clean, rocky streams and rivers across a broad range of the eastern and central United States and adjacent Canada. Its genuinely venomous spines and status as the biggest madtom species make it one of the more physically formidable small catfish in North America.
The biggest and most defensive of its family
While most madtom catfish are small and relatively mild, the stonecat stands out on both counts, combining the largest body size in its group with a sting potent enough to make careless handling a genuinely memorable mistake.
Status
Least Concern — widespread and stable across suitable clean, rocky stream and river habitat throughout the eastern and central United States and adjacent Canada.
Stonecat: common questions
Can a stonecat actually sting you?
Yes, a stonecat has venom glands at the base of its pectoral and dorsal spines, capable of delivering a genuinely painful sting if the fish is handled carelessly, an unusual level of defensive potency compared with several of its generally milder madtom catfish relatives.
How big does a stonecat get compared to other madtoms?
The stonecat is the largest species within the madtom group of small North American catfish, noticeably bigger than most of its smaller madtom relatives, making it something of a standout in both size and sting potency within its own family group.
Does the stonecat take care of its eggs?
Yes, a male stonecat guards the eggs after spawning, typically within a nest located beneath a rock, and continues protecting the young for a period after hatching, a genuine form of parental care.
Where does the stonecat live?
The stonecat is native to clean, rocky streams and rivers across a broad range of the eastern and central United States and adjacent Canada, generally favouring fast-flowing water with good water quality.