Least darter

The Least darter lives in the benthopelagic, freshwater, pH range: 7.0 - 7.8, dH range: 15 environment.

The least darter is listed as an endangered species in Iowa (571 IAC 77.2(1) (2004)). In fact, it may be the rarest fish in the state (Harlan et al. 1987). More

Life history of the Least darter in Dinner Creek, Becker County, Minnesota. Final report submitted to the Nongame Wildife Program, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 26 pp. More

The least darter is one of Ohio's two smallest species of fish rarely growing to be more than 1.5 inches long the other is the tippecanoe darter. The photo to the left is an adult male and below is an adult female. More

The least darter (Etheostoma microperca Jordan & Gilbert) was not reported by early investigators in the Red River basin. Cox (1897) reported the least darter (Microperca punctulata) was "probably common" in the state of Minnesota, but recognized that its small size made it difficult to collect. More

Common names

least darter in English
Lille smutte in Danish (dansk)
Minispringbarsch in German (Deutsch)
小鏢鱸 in Mandarin Chinese
小鏢鱸 in Unknown
小镖鲈 in Mandarin Chinese
小镖鲈 in Unknown

Order : Perciformes
Family : Percidae
Genus : Etheostoma
Species : Etheostoma microperca
Authority : Jordan & Gilbert, 1888