Speckled Darter

Etheostoma stigmaeum

Unlike many fish that swim in the water column, darters lack a functional swim bladder, allowing them to stay easily on the bottom.

Scientific name

Etheostoma stigmaeum

Taxonomy

Animalia › Chordata › Actinopterygii › Perciformes › Percidae › Etheostoma

IUCN Red List status

Least Concern

Population trend

stable

Biome

aquatic

Habitat

Clear, cool streams and small rivers with sandy or gravel bottoms and moderate flow.

Diet

Invertivore; primarily consumes midge larvae, blackfly larvae, and mayfly nymphs.

Range

Southeastern United States, Mississippi River Basin, Gulf Slope drainages

Size

40-65 mm in length

Lifespan

2-3 years

Active

diurnal

Threats

Siltation from land development, chemical runoff, and loss of free-flowing water due to damming.

Safe to approach?

Harmless. These small fish are shy and sensitive to habitat disturbance. To observe them, remain still near clear stream riffles; avoid stepping on gravel beds where they may be nesting.

The speckled darter ( Etheostoma stigmaeum ) is a species of darter endemic to the central and southeastern United States. It occurs in the Mississippi River basin and through the Gulf Coast drainages. It is also found in the Clinch River and the Powell River. This species inhabits rocky or sandy pools in flowing waters up to the size of medium rivers with fast currents. It can reach a length of 6.1 centimetres (2.4 in) TL though most only...

Photo: Tayton Alvis, CC-BY, via iNaturalist

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