Species Kingdom

North America: Eastern and central United States. Previously, two subspecies were recognized by Boltz & Stauffer 1993 (Ref. 34807): Aphredoderus sayanus sayanus in Atlantic Coast drainages from New York to Georgia; and A. sayanus gibbosus in the Mississippi River, Great Lakes, and western Gulf Coast drainages, with intergrades in Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast drainages between Mississippi and Georgia.

Biology

Adults usually occur over mud in swamps, vegetated sloughs, ponds, lakes, backwaters, and quiet pools of creeks and small to large rivers (Ref 5723, 10294). Nocturnal feeders. Feed on aquatic insects, small crustaceans, and occasional small fish including their own young (Ref. 10294). Eggs in nests are guarded by both parents (Ref. 205).

Habitat

demersal