Cumberland darter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cumberland darter |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
The Cumberland darter (Etheostoma susanae) is a special kind of freshwater fish. It's a small fish called a darter, and it's part of the Percidae family, which also includes perch and pikeperch. This fish is very rare and can only be found in Kentucky and Tennessee in the United States. It lives in the streams that flow into the upper Cumberland River, above Cumberland Falls. Because it's so rare, the US government listed it as an endangered species on August 9, 2011. This means it needs special protection to survive.
Contents
What Does the Cumberland Darter Look Like?
This small fish can grow to be about 5.5 centimeters long. That's about the length of your pinky finger! It has a pale yellow body. On its sides, it has six brown markings that look a bit like saddles. When male darters are ready to breed, their brown markings fade. Their bodies also become darker overall.
Where Do Cumberland Darters Live?
The Cumberland darter likes to live in calm parts of streams. You can find them in pools or shallower areas where the water moves slowly. They prefer places with sandy or silty bottoms. You won't usually find them in areas with lots of rocks or pebbles.
Other fish that often live near the Cumberland darter include the creek chub, the northern hogsucker, the stripetail darter, and the Cumberland arrow darter.
The Darter's Life and History
Scientists don't know a lot about the full life cycle of the Cumberland darter yet.
This fish is currently found in 13 different streams that feed into the Cumberland River. Sadly, it used to live in many more places. It has disappeared from some areas where it once lived.
Good news! Scientists have been able to hatch and raise these fish in special tanks. After they grow, these young darters are released back into their natural homes. This helps to increase their numbers in the wild.
The Cumberland darter was first officially described in 1883. Two American biologists, David Starr Jordan and Joseph Swain, gave it its scientific name. They found the first known fish in a stream near Pleasant View, Kentucky. The scientific name susanae honors Mrs. Susan Bowen Jordan, who was David Starr Jordan's wife.
See Also
In Spanish: Etheostoma susanae para niños
