Greenbreast darter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Greenbreast darter |
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The greenbreast darter (Etheostoma jordani) is a small, colorful freshwater fish. It belongs to a group of fish called ray-finned fish. These fish have fins supported by bony spines. The greenbreast darter is part of the Percidae family. This family also includes well-known fish like perches.
This special fish lives only in the southeastern United States. You can find it in the Alabama River and Black Warrior River systems. It likes to live in clear streams and small rivers. It prefers areas with rocky bottoms and fast-moving water. Most greenbreast darters grow to about 5 centimeters (2 inches) long. Some can reach up to 7.9 centimeters (3 inches).
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What Does the Greenbreast Darter Look Like?
The greenbreast darter is a very pretty fish. It has bright red spots along its sides. Its lips are a greenish-brown color. The fin on its underside, called the anal fin, is a beautiful turquoise.
Male Darter Colors
When male darters are ready to breed, their colors become even brighter. Their bodies turn an olive green. They have faint dark stripes, usually 3 to 11 of them, along their sides. Their backs have 8 or 9 olive to brown patches. The front part of their head, chest, and gill covers turn a bright turquoise.
The spiny part of their top fin, called the dorsal fin, is clear or white at the edge. Below this, there is a red band. This band is brightest near the fish's head. Their tail fin, or caudal fin, has a thin turquoise or black band at the top. In the middle, there is a narrow yellow band. Near the base of the tail, there is a wide red or orange band.
Where Do Greenbreast Darters Live?
The greenbreast darter lives only in a specific area. This area is the upper part of the Mobile Basin. This is a large river system in the southeastern United States. It does not live in the Tombigbee River area. These fish are often very common in places where they like to live. They prefer clear water and rocky bottoms.
Habitat and Life
Greenbreast darters are usually found in clear creeks and small to medium-sized rivers. They like areas with moderate to strong water currents. These areas often have gravel or rocky bottoms. These spots are called "riffles." Riffles are shallow, fast-moving parts of a stream.
Reproduction
When it's time to lay eggs, the female darter chooses riffles. The riverbed in these spots is made of sand and gravel. She lays batches of eggs in different places within these riffles. This helps spread out the eggs.
How We Know About This Fish
The greenbreast darter was first officially described in 1891. An American fish scientist named Charles Henry Gilbert described it. He found the first one in Choccolo Creek in Alabama.
The scientific name for this fish is Etheostoma jordani. The second part of its name, jordani, honors another American fish scientist. His name was David Starr Jordan. Scientists believe the greenbreast darter is part of a group of similar fish. This group includes the lipstick darter and the Etowah darter.
