Reference Guide > Montana Fish Field Guide > Bullheads/Catfishes > Stonecat
Stonecat - Noturus flavus
Global Rank: G5
State Rank: S5
Agency Status
USFWS: none
USFS: none
BLM: none
CFWCS Tier: 3
General Description
The stonecat is our other native catfish species. It is widespread throughout all of eastern Montana, preferring to live in cracks and crevices of rocks and logs in streams or on wave-swept shorelines of lakes. Like other catfish, it is an early-summer nest-building spawner. Stonecats seldom exceed 8-10 inches in length and thus do not provide a sport fishery. They are, however, renowned for inflicting a nasty sting on those who handle them and are unfortunate enough to be poked by the spines on their pectoral or dorsal fins.
Diagnostic Characteristics
Overall yellowish brown; back darker, underside light yellow or white.
Distribution
Montana Range
Habitat
Swift-water areas of streams among rocks or under logs; also lakes over sand and gravel bottom where there is wave action. Found mainly in flowing water over rocky substrates in lower Yellowstone River drainage study. Also found in riffle habitat in middle Missouri River study.
Food Habits
Largely aquatic insects and small fish. Known to eat spawn of other fishes.
Reproductive Characteristics
Spawns June - Aug. in moderate current. Incubation: 1 - 2 weeks. Young guarded by parents. Spawning peaks late June.
Citations & Sources
Holton, G. D. 2003. A field guide to Montana fishes. Mont. Dept. Fish, Wildl. Parks, 95 pp.
Citation for data on this website:
Stonecat — Noturus flavus. Montana Field Guide. Retrieved on January 31, 2009, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_AFCKA02070.aspx
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