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Blotchside darter (Percina burtoni) — Percidae

Blotchside darter

Percina burtoni
Family: Percidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Blotchside darter (Percina burtoni) is a freshwater fish of the family Percidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeastern United States
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The blotchside logperch is a freshwater darter from the southeastern United States, in the Tennessee and Cumberland basins. The species grows to about 16 cm and has an elongate, yellowish-brown body with a row of dark blotches along the flank and a pointed, pig-like snout. As a bottom-dweller it uses its snout to flip stones in search of insect larvae and small invertebrates. Owing to habitat loss the species has declined. The IUCN assesses it as Vulnerable (VU).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blotchside darter?

The Blotchside darter has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Pointed snout for moving stones; endangered bottom-dwelling darter

Where does the Blotchside darter live?

The Blotchside darter lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southeastern United States

How big does the Blotchside darter get?

The Blotchside darter grows to a maximum of about 16 cm. On average the species is around 11 cm.

Is the Blotchside darter dangerous to humans?

No, the Blotchside darter is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Blotchside darter edible?

The Blotchside darter is not usually eaten.

More photos

Blotchside darter (Percina burtoni) — Percidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) IHUNTA, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blotchside darter (Percina burtoni) — Percidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) ryantexsonier93, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blotchside darter (Percina burtoni) — Percidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) onefishtwofish, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blotchside darter (Percina burtoni) — Percidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) onefishtwofish, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blotchside darter verified
Scientific name
Percina burtoni
Family
Percidae
Other names
Blotchside Logperch; Blotchside logperch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.0 verified
Average length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Southeastern United States verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insect larvae and small invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
4.0 verified
Seasonality
Threatened bottom-dwelling darter; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Pointed snout for moving stones; endangered bottom-dwelling darter sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Percina

More from the family Percidae

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