Carolina Madtom
August 10, 2025
The scientific name for a Carolina Madtom is "Noturus furiosus", they are apart of the Icta-luridae/Ictalurids family, the family also includes Bullheads and Catfish. The Carolina Madtom is a very small fish they grow up to 5 inches long, compared to other Madtoms the Carolina Madtom has a very short and chunky body. They have venom glands at the base of their fins and the glands secrete venom that becomes incorporated in the slime and cells that make up the spine. Their diet consists largely of larval midges, mayflies, caddisflies, dragonflies, and beetle larvae. They are sight feeders, most active during the night with peaks at dawn and dusk. The Carolina Madtom is a freshwater fish found in the Neuse and Tar river basins of North Carolina and is only found in North Carolina!
Waccamaw Killifish
August 11, 2025
The Waccamaw Killifish, or Fundulus waccamensis, is a small, strikingly patterned fish found only in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina. This makes it a true local treasure, endemic to just this one freshwater lake! Growing up to around 3 inches long, the Waccamaw Killifish prefers clear, vegetated waters where it feeds on tiny insects and crustaceans. Sadly, it’s listed as critically imperiled due to threats like habitat changes, invasive species, and pollution affecting the lake’s delicate ecosystem.
Cape Fear Shiner
August 14, 2025
The Cape Fear Shiner (Notropis mekistocholas) is an incredibly rare fish found only in the Cape Fear River basin here in North Carolina. It’s a small minnow that grows up to about 3 inches and lives in cool, clean waters with moderate flow. This species is critically imperiled mainly because of habitat destruction from development and sedimentation. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect and restore its habitat, but the Cape Fear Shiner remains one of North Carolina’s most endangered aquatic species.
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