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Frecklebelly darter (Percina stictogaster) — Percidae

Frecklebelly darter

Percina stictogaster
Family: Percidae

The Frecklebelly darter (Percina stictogaster) is a freshwater fish of the family Percidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

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Description

The Frecklebelly darter is a small perch relative (Percidae) from clear, flowing fresh water of the eastern United States. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, brown-banded or spotted body with two dorsal fins and small, weakly buoyant pelvic fins, so it 'darts' over the bottom in short hops. As a bottom-dweller it shelters among gravel and stones of streams and rivers and picks insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Frecklebelly darter?

The Frecklebelly darter has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Frecklebelly darter live?

The Frecklebelly darter lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: USA

How big does the Frecklebelly darter get?

The Frecklebelly darter grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Frecklebelly darter dangerous to humans?

No, the Frecklebelly 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

Frecklebelly darter (Percina stictogaster) — Percidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) knp_aquaticzoologist, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Frecklebelly darter (Percina stictogaster) — Percidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel Folds, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Frecklebelly darter (Percina stictogaster) — Percidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) William Hull, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Frecklebelly darter (Percina stictogaster) — Percidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel Folds, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Frecklebelly darter sourced
Scientific name
Percina stictogaster
Family
Percidae

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
8 inferred
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud 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

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 Percina

More from the family Percidae

Fin

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