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Blenny darter (Etheostoma blennius) — Percidae

Blenny darter

Etheostoma blennius
Family: Percidae
LC · Least Concern

The Blenny darter (Etheostoma blennius) is a freshwater fish of the family Percidae that grows up to 8 cm.

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

Description

The blenny darter is a small freshwater darter from the southeastern United States, in the Tennessee basin. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky, yellowish-brown body with dark saddle blotches and a blunt, blenny-like head. As a bottom-dweller without a swim bladder it rests among stones in clear, fast-flowing streams and moves forward in short darts in search of insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blenny darter?

The Blenny darter has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Blenny darter live?

The Blenny darter lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Blenny darter get?

The Blenny darter grows to a maximum of about 8 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Blenny darter dangerous to humans?

No, the Blenny darter is harmless to humans.

Is the Blenny darter edible?

The Blenny darter is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Slijmvis-darter verified
English name
Blenny darter verified
Scientific name
Etheostoma blennius
Family
Percidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.3 verified
Average length (cm)
5.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal 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
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
3.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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