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Yellowfin Madtom

The yellowfin madtom (Noturus flavipinnin) is known to exist in only three stream reaches: Citico Creek in the Tellico Ranger District of the CNF; the Powell River in Hancock and Claiborne counties, Tennessee; and Copper Creek in Scott and Russell counties, Virginia. Attempts are under way to re-establish a population in Abrams Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The small catfish grows to 4.5 inches long and has a yellowish tinge on the paler parts of its body. This secretive fish is seldom seen by most people visiting a stream because it hides under flat rocks and undercut banks. It feeds at night on aquatic insects.

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