A small bottom-dwelling fish with greenish body and dark vertical bands. Indicator of clean cool streams.

Also called: Greenside

Native status: Native to eastern North America

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 7–13 cm
Weight10–30 g
LifespanWild 3–5 years
OrderPerciformes
FamilyPercidae

§ Encyclopedia

The greenside darter is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It inhabits swift riffles in the eastern United States and southern Ontario.

Source: Wikipedia — Greenside darter Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Small slender fish with prominent dark vertical bars on sides; iridescent green coloration on flanks (especially in breeding males); large second dorsal fin.

Similar species. Other darter species (extreme diversity; expert ID required). Logperch (different shape, long snout). Rainbow Darter (different markings).

Voice. Silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Aquatic insect larvae (caddisflies, mayflies, midges), small crustaceans.

Behavior. Among the most colorful North American freshwater fish. Males develop brilliant green and red breeding coloration in spring. Lives in clear gravel- and rubble-bottomed riffles of small to medium rivers. Sensitive to siltation and pollution; populations are excellent indicators of stream health. Among 250+ darter species in eastern North America — one of the most diverse fish groups on the continent.

§ Range

Eastern US

§ Habitat

Clear cool streams with gravel and rocks

§ Threats

Stream sedimentation, agricultural runoff.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the greenside darter is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support clean streams. Maintain forested stream buffers.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • American Fisheries Society
  • Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
  • NatureServe
  • IUCN Red List 2013