Noturus insignis
(Richardson, 1836)
Common Name:
Margined Madtom
Synonyms and Other Names:
Identification:
The Margined Madtom has a light cream-colored belly, a light brown to grey back and chin barbells. There are no blotches or saddle marks on this fish's back and sides as found on other madtoms. Its dorsal and caudal fins are light brown with black edges, its adipose fin is attached along the length of the body and is continuous with the square caudal fin. Smith (1985); Page and Burr (1991); Jenkins and Burkhead (1994).
Size:
Up to 15 cm
Native Range:
Atlantic Slope from the Delaware drainage, New York, to upper Altamaha River drainage, Georgia; upper Kanawha (New) River system, Virginia; upper Monongahela River system, Pennsylvania and Maryland (Page and Burr 1991); Lake Ontario (Roth et al., 2011).
Great Lakes Nonindigenous Occurrences:
This catfish has been introduced outside Lake Gogebic (Lake Clark), Michigan (Taylor 1969; Emery 1985); the Finger Lakes, Mohawk, Oswego, and St. Lawrence drainages, New York (Emery 1985; Jenkins and Burkhead 1994); the Monongahela drainage, Pennsylvania (Cooper 1983; Hocutt et al. 1986; Jenkins and Burkhead 1994)
Table 1. Great Lakes region nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state/province, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Noturus insignis are found here.
Full list of USGS occurrences
Table last updated 5/2/2024
† Populations may not be currently present.
Ecology:
Gutowski and Stauffer (1993) found that the Margined Madtom preferentially feeds on baetid, chironomid, and simuliid larvae. Locomotory activity levels increased after dusk as is common for most species of madtom. According to catch per effort data, this fish was most active near midnight (Gutowski and Stauffer 1993).
Great Lakes Means of Introduction:
Many of these occurrences may have been the result of bait bucket introductions (Taylor 1969; Jenkins and Burkhead 1994).
Great Lakes Status:
The Margined Madtom is likely native to Lake Ontario, but introduced to Lakes Superior and Huron; it is currently absent from Lakes Michigan and Erie (Roth et al. 2011).
Great Lakes Impacts:
Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...
Current research on the environmental impact of Noturus insignis in the Great Lakes is inadequate to support proper assessment.
Hybrids between Noturus insignis and stonecat (N. flavus) were discovered in the Monongahela River drainage in West Virginia. Noturus flavus is native to both the river drainage studied and the Great Lakes, while N. insignis is non-native to both regions (Welsh and Cincotta 2004).
There is little or no evidence to support that Noturus insignis has socio-economic impacts in the Great Lakes region.
There is little or no evidence to support that Noturus insignis has significant beneficial effects in the Great Lakes.
Noturus insignis is a popular bait fish in parts of the U.S. where it is more abundant (Mills et al. 1993, Phelps and Francis 2002). Its significance is unknown in the American Great Lakes where species distribution is limited, and it is unimportant in Canada, where the species makes no significant economic contribution (Phelps and Francis 2002).
Management:
Great Lakes data for Margined Madtom consists principally of isolated reports. Further expanion of the species within the Great Lakes basin is considered unlikely (Emery 1985) and the species is not regulated or controlled. Regulations (pertaining to the Great Lakes region)
Note: Check federal, state/provincial, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.
Control
Biological
None reported for this species.
Physical
None reported for this species.
Chemical
There are no known chemical control methods specific to this species. General piscicides (such as rotenone) may be used for control, but expect significant kill of non-target species.
Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods. Follow all label instructions.
Remarks:
Taylor (1969) and Jenkins and Burkhead (1994) discussed native and possible nonnative distribution. Hocutt et al. (1986) listed this species as native but possibly introduced into the Monongahela drainage. Smith (1985) considers the native range to includethe Black watershed which drains into Lake Ontario atthe headwaters of the St. Lawrence River.
References
(click for full reference list)
Author:
Fuller, P., G. Jacobs, J. Larson, A. Fusaro, and M. Neilson
Contributing Agencies:
Revision Date:
1/19/2024
Peer Review Date:
3/26/2014
Citation for this information:
Fuller, P., G. Jacobs, J. Larson, A. Fusaro, and M. Neilson, 2024, Noturus insignis (Richardson, 1836): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, and NOAA Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System, Ann Arbor, MI, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/greatLakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=748&Potential=N&Type=0&HUCNumber=DGreatLakes, Revision Date: 1/19/2024, Peer Review Date: 3/26/2014, Access Date: 5/2/2024
This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.