Bluebreast darter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bluebreast darter |
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The bluebreast darter (Etheostoma camurum) is a small, colorful freshwater fish. It belongs to a group of fish called ray-finned fishes and is a type of darter. Darters are part of the Percidae family, which also includes perches. This fish lives only in the eastern United States, from New York and Illinois down to Tennessee and North Carolina.
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Meet the Bluebreast Darter!
The bluebreast darter is a small fish, usually less than three inches long. It has a rounded snout and is very colorful. Its body is mostly olive green. It has a lighter band near its fins, reaching its tail.
During breeding season, male darters become even more vibrant! Their dorsal fins turn orange. They get dark red spots on their sides. And, of course, they show off a bright blue chest. This is how they got their name!
You can often find these fish in clean, flowing rivers. They like medium to large rivers with fast currents. They also prefer areas with lots of gravel on the riverbed.
Where Do Bluebreast Darters Live?
This darter lives in the Eastern Highlands of the US. Its range stretches from Tennessee to New York. It also goes from West Virginia to Illinois. Historically, they lived in streams of the Ohio River, Alleghany River, Wabash River, and Tennessee River basins.
Their homes are scattered because of changes to their habitat. Things like dams and pollution have affected them. In New York, this fish might soon be listed as 'endangered'. This is because its population has dropped a lot.
The bluebreast darter needs special habitats. This makes them very sensitive to changes in their environment. Because of these pressures, many groups of darters are now isolated. They are found only in clean, flowing streams.
Life in the Water: What Darters Do
Bluebreast darters need specific conditions to live. They depend on good water quality and fast currents. They live in eddies and riffles behind large rocks. These spots are in medium to large streams with gravel bottoms.
They usually stay near the bottom of the water. They prefer depths of about 4 to 12 inches. Their diet mainly consists of insect larvae. This is because their mouths are small, about 8 millimeters wide.
We don't know their exact temperature range year-round. But they lay eggs when water temperatures are between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Larger freshwater fish might eat darters. These include burbots, stonecats, and smallmouth bass. However, darters often hide in small, rocky spots. This helps protect them from bigger fish.
Human activities can harm their homes. These include mining, silt from construction, and dams. Runoff from farms can also cause problems.
Family Life of the Bluebreast Darter
Bluebreast darters usually breed from mid-May through June. During this time, males get their bright blue chest. They also develop brick-red spots on their sides. Males become territorial and find good spots in the stream.
Females then choose a mate and a place to lay eggs. The female starts a special dance, and the male copies her. She then buries herself in the gravel. The male comes close, and they vibrate together. This happens several times.
About 100 eggs are laid during this time. The male stays to guard the eggs. The eggs hatch in about seven to 10 days. After that, the parents no longer care for the young.
Young darters become adults within their first year. Bluebreast darters usually live for about three years. Changes in water flow can affect their breeding. Muddy water from stormwater runoff can also harm their eggs. The eggs might get washed away from the male's protection.
Protecting the Bluebreast Darter
The bluebreast darter is important because it's an indicator species. This means its health tells us about the health of the river. Small groups of darters, separated by dams, face risks. These include genetic problems like inbreeding.
Human activities have greatly harmed their breeding and habitats. These include silt buildup, dams, mining, and farm runoff. The bluebreast darter is not on the main IUCN Red List. However, NatureServe suggests closely watching its habitat and water quality.
NatureServe has listed the bluebreast darter as 'critically imperiled' in some states. These include Illinois, Alabama, Indiana, and New York. It is 'imperiled' in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. It is 'vulnerable' in West Virginia. But it is 'apparently secure' in Tennessee and Kentucky.
Recent efforts in the Ohio River drainage have helped populations recover. This was done by improving water quality. Studies show we need more awareness and monitoring of streams. Most threats to these fish come from human actions. There is little information on threats from predators or invasive species.
Why This Darter Matters
The bluebreast darter is very important for its ecosystem. Human activities are the main cause of its population decline. More human development has harmed both its habitat and breeding.
Also, the bluebreast darter helps another endangered species. The larvae of the tan riffleshell (a type of mussel) attach to the darter to grow. Protecting the darter helps protect the riffleshell too.
