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Stone catfish 



Stone catfish 



Noturus flavus (Rafinesque) 



General de sc ript ion . — No scales on body; eight 

 barbels (whiskers) around mouth, the four under the 

 chin usually white or yellowish; anal fin with 14-16 

 rays; adipose fin low, grown to back; fin membranes 

 light in color, rim of caudal and adipose fins often 

 creamy yellow; body, olive to yellowish green on back 

 and sides, belly lighter. 



The stone catfish is usually found under stones in 

 swift creeks and small rivers east of the Rockies from 

 Canada south to Virginia and Texas. This species grows 

 to a length of 12 inches. 



The eggs are laid in depressions under boards and 

 rocks during June and July. The nest is watched by 

 the adult. The young remain in the nest for some time 

 after hatching. 



Little is known of the feeding habits, but in 

 southern Minnesota this fish is believed to subsist 

 mainly on aquatic insect larvae and earthworms. 



Western mud minnow 



Umbra It mi (Kirtland) 



General description. — Tail fin rounded; dorsal fin 

 far back on body with about 12 rays; dark vertical bar 

 at base of tail; scales on head (no other fish described 

 in this section possesses scales there). 



This species is distributed through the Great Lakes 

 region and the central basin of the continent, extending 

 as far southwest as Arkansas. It prefers spring-fed, 

 soft-bottomed pools and is common in boggy or stagnant 

 places. This fish is not a true minnow but is related 

 to the northern pike. It grows to a length of 5 inches. 



