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Swannanoa darter (Etheostoma swannanoa) — Percidae

Swannanoa darter

Etheostoma swannanoa
Family: Percidae
LC · Least Concern

The Swannanoa darter (Etheostoma swannanoa) is a freshwater fish of the family Percidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeastern United States; fast-flowing cobble shoals.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Swannanoa darter is a small perch (Percidae) from the southeastern United States. The species is small and has a stocky body with greenish tints and dark spots; males colour more brightly in the spawning season. It inhabits swift, rubble-strewn shallows of small to medium, clear rivers. Bottom-bound, it snaps up small invertebrates such as insect larvae. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Swannanoa darter?

The Swannanoa darter has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly green and shows a spots pattern. Small bottom-dwelling perch of fast-flowing cobble shallows; males in spawning colours.

Where does the Swannanoa darter live?

The Swannanoa darter lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southeastern United States; fast-flowing cobble shoals.

How big does the Swannanoa darter get?

The Swannanoa darter grows to a maximum of about 9 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Swannanoa darter dangerous to humans?

No, the Swannanoa darter is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Swannanoa darter edible?

The Swannanoa darter is not usually eaten.

More photos

Swannanoa darter (Etheostoma swannanoa) — Percidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Zakqary Roy, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Swannanoa darter (Etheostoma swannanoa) — Percidae — 3
frozenflip (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Swannanoa darter (Etheostoma swannanoa) — Percidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) avculley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Swannanoa darter (Etheostoma swannanoa) — Percidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) bussardfamily, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Swannanoa darter verified
Scientific name
Etheostoma swannanoa
Family
Percidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Average length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Green inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Terminal 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
Natural range
Southeastern United States; fast-flowing cobble shoals. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates such as insect larvae sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Small bottom-dwelling perch of fast-flowing cobble shallows; males in spawning colours. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. 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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