Etheostoma swaini (Jordan, 1884)
Gulf darter
Etheostoma swaini
photo by The Native Fish Conservancy

Family:  Percidae (Perches), subfamily: Etheostomatinae
Max. size:  7.8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: Gulf drainages from Ochlockonee River in Georgia and Florida to Mississippi River in Louisiana, and north on Former Mississippi Embayment (east of Mississippi River only) to Kentucky in the USA; in Bear Creek in northwestern Alabama and northeastern Mississippi, USA.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Occurs in shallow rocky riffles, current-swept vegetation in headwaters, creeks and small to medium rivers (Ref. 5723); also found in streams (Ref. 10294). Feeds on midge larvae, with isopods and immature blackflies, mayflies, hydroptilid and hydropsychid caddisflies, and dragonflies (Ref. 10294).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 January 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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