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Black darter (Etheostoma duryi) — Percidae

Black darter

Etheostoma duryi
Family: Percidae
LC · Least Concern

The Black darter (Etheostoma duryi) is a freshwater fish of the family Percidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America; rocky pools and rapids of streams.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The blackside snubnose darter is a colourful perch (Percidae) from North America. The species is small, has a blunt snout and, in spawning males, bears bright colours with dark side blotches. It lives on the bottom of rocky pools and adjacent riffles in creeks and small rivers. Because its swim bladder is strongly reduced, it moves over the bottom in jerky hops. It feeds on small aquatic insects and their larvae. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Black darter?

The Black darter has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Blunt snout and a reduced swim bladder; moves over the bottom in jerky little hops.

Where does the Black darter live?

The Black darter lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. North America; rocky pools and rapids of streams.

How big does the Black darter get?

The Black darter grows to a maximum of about 7 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Black darter dangerous to humans?

No, the Black darter is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Black darter edible?

The Black darter is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Black darter verified
Scientific name
Etheostoma duryi
Family
Percidae
Other names
Blackside snubnose darter; Snubnose darter; Subnose darter verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.2 verified
Average length (cm)
5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown
Pattern
Spots
Tail shape
Straight
Mouth position
Inferior (downward)
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
North America; rocky pools and rapids of streams.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small aquatic insects and their larvae sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Blunt snout and a reduced swim bladder; moves over the bottom in jerky little hops. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Etheostoma

More from the family Percidae

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