Siltation in the southern portions of the rivers, inhabited by Noturus gladiator that comes from the northern aspects of the waterways is causing stress on the reproductive success due to nest suffocation.

The species is believed to have inhabited a broader range at one time, but due to siltation from river based transport, construction, and farming.

[2]: 364  Most of the remaining populations have been pushed to sites of the rivers with lower human densities and clearer flowing water.

[7] Noturus gladiator is found most commonly on clay or sandy substrate in areas that can provide cover such as leaf or woody debris.

The preferred stream width is form 4–15m wide, at a temperature of 20–26 degrees Celsius, is 15–50 cm deep, and has a dissolved oxygen level from 4.6-8.5ppm.

[2]: 365  N. gladiator's diet consists mainly of aquatic insects such as mayflies, caddis flies, stoneflies, and occasionally small fish when size allows.

The state of Mississippi's madtom population is shrinking to the point of proposing N. gladiator to become an endangered species.

[2]: 366  Due to human related activities the success of the species has dwindled from recent historical reports.

The lower Hatchie River was channelized for agricultural purposes and has taken out all of the cover N. gladiator could have used to feed and reproduce.

Before this channelization, the lower portion was also uninhabitable for N. gladiator because of extreme siltation due to erosion from agriculture.

[2]: 366  The remaining populations of N. Gladiator are sustaining themselves in the stretches of untainted habitat in the upper portions of their river ranges.