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Sharpnose darter (Percina oxyrhynchus) — Percidae

Sharpnose darter

Percina oxyrhynchus
Family: Percidae
LC · Least Concern

The Sharpnose darter (Percina oxyrhynchus) is a freshwater fish of the family Percidae that grows up to 12 cm.

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

Description

The sharpnose darter is a small perch (Percidae) from the eastern United States. The species is slender and elongate with a conspicuously pointed, conical snout and a spotted pattern. It inhabits swift, boulder-strewn shallows and runs of small to medium rivers. Bottom-bound, it snaps up small invertebrates such as insect larvae and small crustaceans among the boulders. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sharpnose darter?

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

Where does the Sharpnose darter live?

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

How big does the Sharpnose darter get?

The Sharpnose darter grows to a maximum of about 12 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Sharpnose darter dangerous to humans?

No, the Sharpnose darter is harmless to humans.

Is the Sharpnose darter edible?

The Sharpnose darter is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spitssnuit-darter sourced
English name
Sharpnose darter verified
Scientific name
Percina oxyrhynchus
Family
Percidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Average length (cm)
8.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

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 Percina

More from the family Percidae

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