The Black Madtom is found in Gulf Coast drainages from Louisiana to Florida, including the Mobile Basin, as well as two tributaries to the Tennessee River Drainage through stream capture. They live in gravel and sandy substrates in creeks to small rivers with aquatic vegetation. As the common name suggests, Black Madtoms have dark coloration on their fins and body. As members of the catfish family, all madtoms have whiskers (barbels) around their mouth with taste buds that aid in finding food. Like all members of the genus Noturus, Black Madtoms are smaller catfish reaching a maximum size of 5.75 inches.