Corrugated darter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Corrugated darter |
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The corrugated darter (Etheostoma basilare) is a small, ray-finned fish. It is a type of darter, which belongs to the same fish family as perches. This fish is special because it is found only in a few rivers in Tennessee, United States. Scientists have even found that there are five different groups of these darters living there!
Corrugated darters are active hunters. They like to eat insects, tiny fish, and maybe even young snails. These fish live close to the bottom of rivers. They use their body shape to stay in place, even in fast-moving water. This way of life means they are very sensitive to changes in their river home. Things like dams or pollution can really affect them. For example, dams can cause silt (fine dirt) to build up, which can cover their nesting spots and harm their eggs.
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Where the Corrugated Darter Lives
The corrugated darter lives only in the upper parts of the Caney Fork and Collins River in eastern Tennessee. These rivers are part of the larger Cumberland River system. This area has been the darter's home for a very long time.
Long ago, when big glaciers melted, they helped form this river system. This created a special, isolated place where many unique darter species, including the corrugated darter, could develop. Even within these rivers, the corrugated darter has split into five closely related groups. This shows how adaptable the fish is and how small differences in its home can lead to new types of fish.
What the Corrugated Darter Eats and Who Eats It
Scientists haven't studied exactly what the corrugated darter eats yet. But we know that many of its relatives are active hunters. They usually eat insects and small fish. They might also eat decaying leaves and other dead plant matter found in the water.
Bigger fish like bass, trout, and sculpin probably eat adult corrugated darters. Reptiles and salamanders might also prey on them. When they are very young, tiny carnivorous insects in the water might eat them.
The corrugated darter shares its home with other darter species. The size of the rocks and gravel on the riverbed is very important for these fish. Since they live on the bottom, different sizes of rocks create many small "micro-homes." This allows different darter groups to live together, each finding its favorite spot. Adult darters can live in water up to a meter deep. But young darters, called fry, prefer shallow, fast-moving areas called riffles. These spots offer them protection.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Most darters become adults and can have babies when they are about one year old. The corrugated darter's breeding season is thought to be from April to May each year. The water temperature plays a big role in starting their breeding.
In many darter species, the males look very different from the females during breeding season. Males often have bright colors to attract mates. We don't know yet if male corrugated darters also show these bright colors.
Most darters like to breed in shallow, fast-moving riffles. The moving water helps bring oxygen to their eggs. It also provides a safer place for the young fry to grow. They usually build their nests under flat rocks. The male darter then guards the eggs very carefully. Several females might lay their eggs in one male's nest.
The corrugated darter might even do something called "egg-mimicking." This means they have spots on their fins that look like eggs. They might use these spots to trick females into laying eggs in their nest. Females often prefer males who are already guarding eggs. Corrugated darters can grow up to about 5.5 centimeters long. We don't know how long they usually live.
Protecting the Corrugated Darter
The corrugated darter is currently listed as "Least Concern" by a group called the IUCN Red List. This means they are not in immediate danger of extinction. So far, their home has not been greatly disturbed by things like large dams or construction.
The closest big dam, Dale Hollow, is further downstream from where these darters live. The main risk from this dam is the lake behind it. This lake has been stocked with fish that could eat the darters, like walleye and different kinds of crappie and bass. However, these fish are popular for fishing, so people often catch them, which helps control their numbers.
Also, the corrugated darter can have many babies. This means their population can double in as little as 15 months. This helps them recover quickly from being eaten by other fish. However, if their breeding spots are disturbed, it could make it harder for them to recover.
See also
In Spanish: Etheostoma basilare para niños
