Golden darter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Golden darter |
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The golden darter (Etheostoma denoncourti) is a small, colorful ray-finned fish that lives in freshwater. It belongs to a group of fish called darters, which are part of the larger family known as Percidae. This family also includes well-known fish like perches. The golden darter is found in the upper parts of the Tennessee River system. This area is home to over 300 different kinds of fish in Tennessee.
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What Does It Look Like?
The golden darter is a unique fish. It looks a bit like the Tippecanoe darter. However, the golden darter has small scales on its cheeks, right behind its eyes.
Its first dorsal fin (the fin on its back) has a shiny gold edge. The rest of its body is mostly orange. It also has dark vertical bars near its tail. These markings help it blend in with its surroundings.
Where Does It Live?
The golden darter lives in a very small area. You can find it only in the Tennessee River drainage system. This includes parts of Virginia and Tennessee.
It lives in fewer than 10 specific places. Sadly, the quality of its home is getting worse. This darter is found only in the Tennessee River drainage. It has been seen in places like Copper Creek and the Clinch, Sequatchie, Duck, and Buffalo rivers.
Habitat and Life Cycle
Golden darters like to live in shallow, fast-moving parts of rivers. These areas are called "riffles" and have lots of gravel. They prefer small to medium-sized rivers.
Scientists believe that golden darters lay their eggs in the gravel. The eggs are likely buried in the riverbed. This helps protect them until they hatch.
Discovery of the Golden Darter
The golden darter was officially named and described in 1997. Two scientists, Jay Richard Stauffer, Jr. and Ellen S. van Snik Gray, did this work. They found the first golden darter in Copper Creek, near Clinchport, Virginia.
Before 1997, these fish were thought to be the same as the Tippecanoe darter. But scientists noticed differences in their body parts and colors. They realized it was a completely new species! The fish was named denoncourti to honor Robert F. Denoncourt. He was a person who taught Stauffer about the amazing fish in the southern Appalachian rivers.
