Candy darter facts for kids
The candy darter (scientific name: Etheostoma osburni) is a small, colorful fish. It belongs to the Percidae family, which includes darters. This fish lives only in a specific area of the eastern United States. You can find it in the Kanawha River system in Virginia and West Virginia.
Quick facts for kids Candy darter |
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Candy darters can grow up to about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long. Most are around 7.3 centimeters (3 inches). They usually live for up to three years. These fish lay their eggs in April and May. Candy darters are invertivores. This means they eat small creatures without backbones. Their diet includes insect larvae and tiny water mites.
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Where Candy Darters Live
This fish lives in rivers, streams, and creeks. These waterways are found in the central Appalachian Mountains. Candy darters like fast-flowing water called "riffles." They prefer rocky riverbeds. They can live in cold, cool, or warm water. The most important thing is that the water is clear. The bottom of the river must also be rocky. They are good at handling strong currents.
Why Candy Darters Are Important
The candy darter lives in a small area. However, it has been found in more than ten places. Its population is not severely split up. Because of this, it is listed as a near-threatened species. This means it might become endangered soon. The number of candy darters is likely going down. This is due to human activities. They need clear water without much silt or sediment. More silt and sediment can harm their homes. This makes it harder for them to survive.
How Candy Darters Got Their Name
Scientists first described the candy darter in 1932. Two American fish scientists, Carl Leavitt Hubbs and Milton Bernhard Trautman, named it. They found the first one in Stony Creek. This creek is a branch of the Greenbrier River in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The fish was named after an American animal scientist named Raymond Carroll Osburn. The candy darter is thought to be related to the variegated darter.
See also
In Spanish: Etheostoma osburni para niños
