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Brown darter (Etheostoma edwini) — Percidae

Brown darter

Etheostoma edwini
Family: Percidae
LC · Least Concern

The Brown darter (Etheostoma edwini) is a freshwater fish of the family Percidae that grows up to 5 cm.

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

Description

The brown darter is a small freshwater darter from the southeastern United States. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, brown body with rows of reddish-brown spots. As a bottom-dweller without a swim bladder it rests on the bottom of clear, sandy streams and springs and moves forward in short darts. It feeds on small insect larvae and invertebrates. The fish is sensitive to turbidity. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brown darter?

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

Where does the Brown darter live?

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

How big does the Brown darter get?

The Brown darter grows to a maximum of about 5 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Brown darter dangerous to humans?

No, the Brown darter is harmless to humans.

Is the Brown darter edible?

The Brown darter is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bruine darter verified
English name
Brown darter verified
Scientific name
Etheostoma edwini
Family
Percidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.3 verified
Average length (cm)
4.6 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
Yes sourced

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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