Stonecat

At a glance

Stonecat (Noturus flavus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 5 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.

Confirmed by 1,046 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Ohio, Ontario, and Minnesota the top jurisdictions by observation count.

Notable details

• The pectoral fin spines are venomous and cause a painful sting if handled carelessly.
• Can reach up to 12 inches, making it one of the larger madtom catfish.
• Hides under flat rocks in fast, rocky streams and rivers during daylight hours.
• Feeds at night on crayfish, aquatic insect larvae, and small fish.
• Found from Montana and southern Canada east to Quebec and south to the Gulf states.

Where Stonecat are seen

• Ohio223 iNat obs
• Ontario217 iNat obs
• Minnesota108 iNat obs
• Illinois61 iNat obs
• Kentucky48 iNat obs
• Pennsylvania44 iNat obs

Jurisdictions with rules for Stonecat

• ColoradoUnited States · official source
• WyomingUnited States · official source

Background

Noturus flavus , the stonecat, is a North American freshwater catfish of the family Ictaluridae. Its common name is due to its habit of hiding near or under stones in fast-moving water.

Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Stonecat article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.

Other bony fish on CatchRules

• Rainbow TroutOncorhynchus mykiss
• PumpkinseedLepomis gibbosus
• Smallmouth BassMicropterus dolomieu
• Northern PikeEsox lucius