The response of a piscivore (micropterus salmoides) to a venomous prey species (noturus gyrinus)

Abstract

The tadpole madtom (Noturus gyrinus) is highly prized as bait in the upper Mississippi River valley, where it is marketed as the “willow cat,” yet it has venom glands associated with spines in its pectoral and dorsal fins. The response of a predatory fish to this defense was tested by exposing tadpole madtoms to largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Results were compared to the response by bass to fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Each of four bass was used in six trials with madtoms and six trials with minnows. Trials with madtoms and minnows were alternated, and all trials were videotaped. Largemouth bass were just as likely to consume tadpole madtoms as minnows. Bass sometimes took longer to handle and consume tadpole madtoms than minnows, but the likelihood of attack did not change as the number of trials increased. Behaviors that may be associated with discomfort, such as gill flaring and coughing, occurred significantly more often after consumption of madtoms, but bass always seemed ready to consume additional prey, and no bass displayed any negative long term effects. © 2010, Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.