pdf version - South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks

Stonecat
Noturus fl avus
Quick key characteristics: The stonecat is found in cool- and warm-water
habitats. It is scaleless with an elongated caudal fi n base that wraps around
the caudal peduncle and is continuous with the low-profi le adipose fi n. Sharp,
venomous spines are present on front edges of the dorsal and pectoral fi ns.
It has a wide, frontward-facing mouth, with a relatively pointed snout and
upper jaw over-hanging the lower. Its body shape is relatively tubular and it
has prominent snout, mouth, and chin barbels.
Similar species in South Dakota: other catfi sh, especially young
Identifi cation: The combination of (1) a low adipose fi n connected to the
tail (caudal) fi n, (2) light-colored (cream, yellow) margins on the rounded
(not forked) caudal fi n, (3) upper jaw over-hanging lower, (4) dorsal and
pectoral fi n spines two thirds or less of maximum fi n heights, and (5) light
“saddle marks” on back immediately in front of and behind the dorsal fi n
distinguishes the stonecat from similar fi shes in South Dakota.
Range: The stonecat is native to northern portions of the Mississippi River
basin and portions of the Great Lakes basin. In South Dakota, it is most
common in larger streams and rivers, where it occupies riffl es.
Items of interest:
• Feeds on insects, crustaceans,
molluscs, small fi shes, plants, and
detritus
• Breeding individuals guard their eggs
• Less likely to school than other
catfi sh
• May be captured by angling
• Rarely exceeds 12 in. and 1 lb
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