madtom

/mad"tom"/, n.

any of several tadpolelike, freshwater catfishes of the genus Noturus, of the central and eastern U.S., having a poisonous pectoral spine: some are threatened or endangered.

[1895-1900, Amer.; MAD + TOM]

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▪ catfish

      any of several North American catfishes of the genus Noturus, of the family Ictaluridae. They are sometimes classified in two genera, Noturus and Schilbeodes. Generally about 5–7.5 cm (2–3 inches) long, madtoms are the smallest ictalurids and are characterized by a long adipose fin that in some species joins the rounded tail fin.

      The fishes are noted for the stout, usually saw-edged spines in their pectoral fins. These spines have venom glands at the base and can produce jagged, painful wounds. Madtoms inhabit the bottoms of streams, rivers, and lake shores. Species include the stonecat (N. flavus), a common, yellow-brown fish usually found under stones by day, and the tadpole madtom (N., or Schilbeodes, gyrinus), a tadpolelike catfish common in the eastern and central United States.

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