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Freckled darter (Percina lenticula) — Percidae

Freckled darter

Percina lenticula
Family: Percidae

The Freckled darter (Percina lenticula) is a freshwater fish of the family Percidae that grows up to 20 cm.

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

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Description

The Freckled darter is a small perch relative (Percidae) from clear, flowing fresh water of the southeastern 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 Freckled darter?

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

Where does the Freckled darter live?

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

How big does the Freckled darter get?

The Freckled darter grows to a maximum of about 20 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Freckled darter dangerous to humans?

No, the Freckled 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

Freckled darter (Percina lenticula) — Percidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Noah D, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Freckled darter (Percina lenticula) — Percidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Noah D, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Freckled darter (Percina lenticula) — Percidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Noah D, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Freckled darter (Percina lenticula) — Percidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Noah D, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Freckled darter sourced
Scientific name
Percina lenticula
Family
Percidae
Other names
Freckled darter verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Average length (cm)
14.7 verified
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

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 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

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