| Remarks |
Individulas were taken in riffle habitats with gravel, cobble, rubble, or slate substrate; mean depth was 0.2 m (0.1 - 0.3 meters), and stream width averaged 13.6 m (range 8-25 meters); mean current readings from three capture sites ranged from 0.59-0.76 m/sec (grand mean 0.66 m/sec). Riffles are typically occupied during daylight hours when individuals likely are buried within the interstices of gravel. Although nocturnal observations are limited, the Saddled Madtom ventures into pools and pool margins to forage at night or during crepuscular periods. From recent surveys, N. fasciatus was frequently associated with the Largescale Stoneroller (Campostoma oligolepis), Rosyside Dace (Clinostomus funduloides), Tennessee Shiner (Notropis leuciodus), Banded Sculpin (Cottus carolinae), Fantail Darter (Etheostoma flabellare), Saffron Darter (Etheostoma flavum) , and Redline Darter (Etheostoma rufilineatum). In general, critical habitat for this species includes second and third order streams with clear water, dark gravel and slabrock substrates, and abundant riffle habitat. Beyond habitat affinity, little is known of the ecology of this species; nesting habitat is probably similar to that of the closely related Noturus elegans; that is, pools or slow raceways that contain slabrocks above and below riffles (Ref. 56218). |
