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Emerald darter (Etheostoma baileyi) — Percidae

Emerald darter

Etheostoma baileyi
Family: Percidae

The Emerald darter (Etheostoma baileyi) is a freshwater fish of the family Percidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

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Description

The Emerald darter is a small perch, a darter (Percidae), from fresh water of the Cumberland system in the southeastern United States. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, greenish with emerald and orange bars in males body with a pointed head; spawning males often colour up spectacularly. As a bottom-dweller it rests without a swim bladder among gravel and stones of clear, flowing streams and darts in short bursts at insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Emerald darter?

The Emerald darter has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly green.

Where does the Emerald darter live?

The Emerald darter lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. North America: USA

How big does the Emerald darter get?

The Emerald darter grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Emerald darter dangerous to humans?

No, the Emerald 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.

More photos

Emerald darter (Etheostoma baileyi) — Percidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) IHUNTA, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Emerald darter (Etheostoma baileyi) — Percidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Nate Parrish, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Emerald darter (Etheostoma baileyi) — Percidae — 4
Clayton, Jeffrey M. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Emerald darter (Etheostoma baileyi) — Percidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Emerald darter sourced
Scientific name
Etheostoma baileyi
Family
Percidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Etheostoma

More from the family Percidae

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