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Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Ictaluridae (North American freshwater catfishes)
Etymology: Noturus: Greek, noton = back + Greek, oura = tail; refred to the position of the tail over the back (Ref. 45335); phaeus: phaeus meaning the color of twilight, referring to the overall dusky color (Ref. 10294).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Temperate; 37°N - 32°N
North America: Mississippi River tributaries in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi, USA; and in southern Arkansas, Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi, USA; Tennessee River tributaries in western Tennessee and northwestern Alabama, USA; Sabine River and Bayou Teche drainages in Alabama.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 15.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5723); common length : 6.9 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 12193)
Inhabits sand-gravel riffles and runs among debris, rocks and undercut banks of springs, creeks and small rivers (Ref. 5723, 10294).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr, 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p. (Ref. 5723)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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