Bluebreast darter

The Bluebreast darter lives in the benthopelagic, freshwater environment.

fantail darter and an adult bluebreast darter at Milltown. Variegate darters were not found at any of the sampling sites. The total numbers of fishes identified were compared with collections in previous years (Table 2). More

The bluebreast darter, a strikingly beautiful fish, is sparsely distributed across the eastern United States. This fish requires shallow water flowing rapidly over large stones in small rivers. More

The bluebreast darter prefers fast-flowing sections of large streams where the substrate consists of sandy gravel and large stones. The darter uses the stones for protection, and is usually found behind, beside or under them. More

CHARACTERISTICS: The bluebreast darter is distinguishable by a compressed body, deep caudal peduncle, and horizontal banding along the posterior two-thirds of the body. More

REASONS FOR BEING THREATENED: The bluebreast darter is locally and discontinuously distributed in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. It's known in Pennsylvania only from the upper Allegheny River and two tributaries, Little Brokenstraw Creek and French Creek. More

The bluebreast darter is a small, colorful fish that rarely grows larger than three inches long. It can be distinguished from other darters by its blunt, rounded snout, and its gill covers which are not connected across the breast. More

Bluebreast darters are an indicator of good water quality and stream habitat. At one time they had become quite rare in Ohio. However, as a result of improved water quality they have made an impressive come back in much of their historical range in the state. More

Description: The bluebreast darter has white stripes on the second dorsal and caudal fins, edged by an outer, darker margin that helps distinguish it from the spotted darter. Numerous carmine spots, arranged in rows, are on the amber-color sides of the fish. More

Common names

Blåbröstad Strömabborre in Swedish (Svenska)
Blåbrystet smutte in Danish (dansk)
bluebreast darter in English
蓝胸镖鲈 in Mandarin Chinese
藍胸鏢鱸 in Mandarin Chinese

Order : Perciformes
Family : Percidae
Genus : Etheostoma
Species : Etheostoma camurum
Authority : Cope, 1870