#darter fish

[fishyfishyfishtimes]

Daily fish fact #753

Watercress darter!

An elusive fish only found in four springs in the Black Warrior River basin in Alabama. As its name implies, it enjoys living among and suspended on thick aquatic vegetation, often watercress.

[chasingmypen]

Tangerine Darter

First sketch of 2024, in honor of a particular fish-loving friend.

May the year be kind, bring much good knowledge, and smooth adjustments to all finding themselves in new habitats.

[herpsandbirds]

Bluemask Darter (Etheostoma akatulo), male, family Percidae, order Perciformes, Tennessee, USA

ENDANGERED.

photograph by isaac szabo

[ronthafrog]

the variation within one species of fish is quite amazing- here are two banded darters from the same location & time

[i-give-you-a-fish]

could i have one tiny little fish please

Special delivery (fish in a tube)

You get a Rainbow Darter

Etheostoma caeruleum

[stranger-nature]

A Banded Darter (Etheostoma zonale), looking a little glum while being photographed. Southwest Ohio, 04/13/23.

Wake up babe new hobby just dropped.

(I've gotten into dip netting and now I'm a little bit obsessed with darters.)

[fish-daily]

Heya if it hasnt already been done could I suggest a Rainbow Darter?? Theyre super cute!

fish 162 - rainbow darter

[thenativetank]

My Tesselated Darter is getting big! I took a moment to check and he's around the 3.5 or 3.75 inch mark. Pretty hefty for this species!

[fishenjoyer1]

Fish of the Day

Today's fish of the day is the candy darter!

The candy darter, known by scientific name Etheostoma osburni, is an endangered fish endemic to the East coast of America. Living in the Kanawha River, which is a tributary of the Ohio river, and flows through the Appalachian mountains, winding through Virgina, with a majority in West Virginia. Identifiable from the lookalikes likely to be found in the same general areas by the distinct saddles in front of the dorsal fin, and by the number of blue and orange bars on the fish. Despite the wonderfully bright color of the males, there is a significant case of sexual dimorphism, with the females of this species bearing the same marking but in a much cooler olive color.

Described in 1932, these fish are a rare find in freshwater areas of North America, being described as "[possibly] the most vivid freshwater fish in North America"- by A Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, Page and Burr 1991. These fish used to have a historic range across 37 known sites, but can now be found in only 10, being impacted greatly by human interference. The biggest issue these fish face is the introduction of a second species of darter, the variegate darter (Etheostoma variatum) which is thought to have been introduced into the area by bait bucket dumping into streams. These fish are able to hybridize, and offspring are closer to variegate darter, than their cander darter parents, overtime wiping out candy darters from their natural habitats. Habitat loss is also a worry for these fish, as they rely on pure and unsalted waters and clean gravel to lay eggs on. But, hope remains for the fate of these fish. Conservation efforts for candy darters are well underway, and the ability to save these species is still very possible.

Candy darters can get as large as 4 inches, and have a lifespan of 3 years. Only hitting sexual maturity at about year 2. Their spawning season is April-May and is in a preferred temperature of 15-18 degrees C. Females during this season are bound to the river bottom as they brood hide, choosing only to lay eggs on fine pebbles and gravel. This is why excess sediment in rivers like this is such a huge concern for this species. During this breeding season male candy darters become aggressive and infight for the ability to fertilize eggs, leaving only the largest and most successful males the ability to pass their genes forward

During their lifespan the diet of the candy darter consists of macro-invertebrates. Mostly flies, caddisflies, mayflies, and larvae that they can get their hands on. Later in their life, they will be eaten by larger fish primarily. Along with these, these fish are known for their ability to help the reproduction of freshwater mussel species. This helps keeps river clear

Have a wonderful day, everyone!

[lizardsaredinosaurs]

Folks call me flashy, loud... I'm a little much on the eyes for some people--but this is me, my expression. I put on the colors that I love and if somebody else doesn't like it, that's their problem.

Candy Darter (Etheostoma osburni)

Kanawha river system in Virginia & West Virginia, USA

Status: Endangered

Threats: sediment and alteration of rivers

[fishy-stitching]

kentucky arrow darter

[fishyfishyfishtimes]

Daily fish fact #761

Maryland darter!

The Maryland darter was the state of Maryland’s only endemic vertebrate, a rare fish with a very specific habitat of well-oxygenated rocky riffles, and supposedly only one single riffle in Deer Creek river. The last time the fish was spotted was in 1988, and due to this the Red Book lists this fish as extinct. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service still classifies it as endangered due to the fact that it has been spotted very few times, anyway.

[marinememes]

Today is Wet Beast Wednesday!

Today’s wet beast is: okaloosa freshwater darter

Olive’s Anon’s wet beast fact:

Stay tuned for more Wet Beast Wednesdays!

[herpsandbirds]

Candy Darter (Etheostoma osburni), family Percidae, order Perciformes, found in the Kanawha River system in Virginia and West Virginia, USA

ENDANGERED.

photograph by Ryan Hagerty

[ronthafrog]

two common log perch individuals

percina darters are SO cool & I wish I could see all of them

[makofinz]

day 28. rainbow darter. i cant believe tmrw is the last day of fishuary. im getting emotional :(