PlanetCatfish.com

I'm currently in the process of entering the occurrence data for North American catfish (Ictaluridae). I'm looking for someone to go through this List and tell me what's wrong and/or how to make it better.

A good basis of US/Canada/Mexico geography would obviously help, as well as knowledge of the species of fish native to North America.

--
Mats

One place to begin are the various publications that describe the fishes found in each of the 50 States.

Many introductions were made in the late 19 TH Century of fishes from East of the Rocky Mountains to the watersheds on the West Slope of the Rockies.

These introductions consiststed of primarily popular game fish but because fry were used populations of several of the madtoms became established as well. I have collected a few from sloughs and minor streams of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers both of which are major tributaries to the Columbia River. As a native resident of the Pacific NW as well as a serious fly fisherman, this is the region I'm most familiar with.
It's unfortunate that I loaned my copy of the Fishes of Washington but never got the book back.
I would have to buy it again to contribute any data relevant to my region.

This project will take awhile to complete.

I'm currently not looking to add more occurrence data than what is in the Cat-eLog already - it is reasonably complete in my (ignorant) view.

It is more case of making sure that I've interpreted it right - because it's hard to make the computer understand things like "Various drainages on the Pacific Coast" or "Throughout Alabama" (in the latter case, one would have to figure out what major watersheds there are in Alabama, and list those).

--
Mats

Hi Mat,

I understand your point.

I just wanted to point out that the species distribution is no longer confined to their natural ranges. So they are being encountered in areas where they were never native but are here to stay. I need to replace my book so I can determine which species became established in he PNW. There are so many species of madtoms.
We do have Ameirius, Ictalurus, and the up here also.
Channel, Blue, Flathead, Bullhead and Madtoms.

Only the Madtoms are of much interest to aquarists because they are small. The other species fall into the same category as the Red Tail Cats, IMO. Not very suitable for most aquarists.

Those few who are interested in keeping coldwater species and collecting their own can now do so thousands of miles from the original range. The madtoms lead a marginal existence in the PNW but when found are a welcome addition to the coldwater aquarium.

Hi Mat,
I was surprised to learn that bullheads are not native to Montana. Only the stonecat, which I believe is probably Noturus flavus, and the channel cat, Ictalurus punctatus are native to our state. According to Montana FWP the state records for these are 10" for the stonecat and 38.75 for the channel catfish. Only the stonecat is suitable for the aquarium, and it must be cool and very well oxygenated. Strangely, I have only seen Ictalurus punctatus for sale in the LFS.

All the catfish East of the Rockies are native to Montana. Everything that drains to the Missouri are native.
They are introduced to the Westside where the rivers drain to the Columbia River. Montana is a special case, Partly in the PNW and partly not.

Mats,
I believe it would it be difficult to pinpoint exact locals of some of the Ameiurus spp.(punctatus?) due to introduction for sport fishing. I know they are introduced into my local pond. There are no "official" outlet streams or rivers from this pond(Lake Massapoag), but it may eventually lead to the Taunton River when the overflows are opened. I know someone who got a good sting from a group in the cranberry bogs in one area of another river. I have heard about Notarus sp. spottings in the Northeast. But these are sporadic. I cannot confirm them. If someone can confirm them, please do!(This may be the Connecticut and/or Blackstone Rivers).
Thanks,
Amanda

Hi MatsP and all.

Your work with US catfishes may be a little easier than it might initially appear. Christopher Scharpf, in American Currents (Publication of the North American Native Fishes Assn.) has recently published part 2 of his "Annotated Checklist of North American Freshwater Fishes, Including Subspecies and Undescribed Forms." The catfishes are included in this entry. The states where the fishes are found, along with river basin information, is provided. In that many madtoms (and some other ictalurids) are limited in their distribution, the specific rivers (or localities) where such species occur are noted.

Although we don't really see them in the hobby, the Mexican ictalurids are also included in the work.

Early in the week I will get the info in a transmittable format for you. Please PM me an email address to use for this. Thanks.

Lee

Hi Amanda and all.

There are two madtom species confirmed to be living happily in New England. Both are considered to be introductions.

1. Noturus insignis (marginated madtom) is found in MA and NH. A MA population is found in Chelmsford. I am not sure right off is there are other populations in the state.

2. N. exilis (tadpole madtom) is reported from CT, MA and NH. I have collected this species in the Chicopee River in Western MA where there is a nice population.

Lee

This book is great for identifying any fish from the East coast of the USA.

Freshwater Fishes of the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware by Fred C. Rhode, Rudolf G. Arndt, David G. Lindquist and James F. Parnell, 1994.

I am friends with one of the authors, Fred C. Rhode, and we collect fish together several times a year. The North American Native Fish Association would be a great place to find the people you need to help you with this project. Chrisopher Sharf, Fred Rhode and myself are members of this association. They would be the people you need to contact. If you want I can give you their e-mail addresses. Chris and Fred are great guys and they know their stuff when it comes to North American fishes.

MatsP wrote:I'm currently in the process of entering the occurrence data for North American catfish (Ictaluridae). I'm looking for someone to go through this List and tell me what's wrong and/or how to make it better.

A good basis of US/Canada/Mexico geography would obviously help, as well as knowledge of the species of fish native to North America.

--
Mats

lfinley58 wrote:Hi Amanda and all.

There are two madtom species confirmed to be living happily in New England. Both are considered to be introductions.

1. Noturus insignis (marginated madtom) is found in MA and NH. A MA population is found in Chelmsford. I am not sure right off is there are other populations in the state.

2. N. exilis (tadpole madtom) is reported from CT, MA and NH. I have collected this species in the Chicopee River in Western MA where there is a nice population.

Lee

I knew I could count on ya, Lee. I believe that would be the Merrimack River watershed. It's many tributaries may be found <a href='http://www.merrimack.org/watershed/geog ... rshed.html' target='_blank'>here</a>.(That's for the Chelmsford population. The Chicopee River is a tributary of the Connecticut River.
Amanda

Hi MatsP, Amanda and all.

Regarding the North American catfish info that I mentioned in a previous post: If anyone wants to take on the task mentioned by MatsP ( I would love to, but unfortunately I cannot do it at this time), and you are not a member of NANFA, I will be happy to provide the mentioned material to you.

Lee

Can you please bring it to the next meeting, Lee? I can't seem to find my copy of the checklist.
Thanks,
Amanda

apistomaster wrote:All the catfish East of the Rockies are native to Montana. Everything that drains to the Missouri are native.
They are introduced to the Westside where the rivers drain to the Columbia River. Montana is a special case, Partly in the PNW and partly not.

Of course, you're quite right, Larry. There are no native catfish west of the Divide. BTW those of us in the Western half of Montana refer to the east half as "West Dakota".

Moontanman wrote:Chrisopher Sharf, Fred Rhode and myself are members of this association. They would be the people you need to contact.

Apologies for both being off-topic and adding to rather helping with the "problem" but if these guys have pictures of any US native catfish species that isn't in the list (i.e. isn't in the cat-elog) - I REALLY like adding new species! Any chance you could ask?

Jools

Mats,
I have the info I need and I'll begin cross-referencing.(Thanks, Lee )

Jools,
The NANFA website has some photo albums from members. A few are quite interesting. They begin <a href='http://gallery.nanfa.org/main.php' target='_blank'>here</a>. Dave Neely has some nice ones organized by state. Missouri is quite nice. The very interesting one is from Todd Crail. He has a photo of Noturus stigmosus from Big Darby Creek in Circleville, Ohio. He has the terms of use for his photos on his personal website. Shall I e-mail him? I don't see this species in the Cat-eLog.
Amanda

Yes please, thanks - that's really helpful.

Jools

Done.
Amanda