Lipstick darter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lipstick darter |
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The lipstick darter (Etheostoma chuckwachatte) is a small, colorful freshwater fish. It's a type of darter, which belongs to the same fish family as perches. This special fish lives only in the eastern United States. You can find it in the Tallapoosa River system in Alabama and Georgia. It likes to live in rocky, fast-flowing parts of creeks and small rivers.
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What Does the Lipstick Darter Look Like?
The lipstick darter is a small fish, usually about 6 centimetres (2.4 in) long. Its body is a bit flattened on the sides. It has 8 to 9 square-shaped spots along its back. You might also see 5 to 6 faint stripes near its tail.
Colors of Male and Female Darters
Male lipstick darters are very colorful. They have bright red-orange lips, which is how they got their name! They also have large, matching spots on their sides. Their fins can be orange and blue-green.
When males are ready to spawn (lay eggs), their top fin turns dark with an orange edge. Their second top fin has an orange band with a blue band next to it.
Female darters are usually mottled brown. They might have faint stripes on their sides. Some females also have a thin red band on their first top fin. Their chest might have a light turquoise color.
Where Do Lipstick Darters Live?
The lipstick darter lives only in the southeastern United States. You can find them in the Tallapoosa River system. This river system is located in Alabama and Georgia.
Habitat and Life Cycle
Lipstick darters prefer fast-flowing parts of streams and rivers. These areas are called "riffles." They often hide among gravel and rocks on the riverbed. They can squeeze into small spaces to find food.
They like shallow riffles, usually about 12–36 centimetres (4.7–14.2 in) deep. Here, the current is faster, and they can find cover. This cover comes from plants, small stones, or rock overhangs.
What Do They Eat?
Lipstick darters are hunters. They pick insect larvae off rocks and plants. Their favorite foods include larvae of flies, mayflies, and stoneflies.
Reproduction
Lipstick darters usually lay their eggs from April to June. They bury their eggs in the gravel between small stones. Females have been found with eggs when the water temperature was between 20–26 °C (68–79 °F). These fish are thought to live for about 2 to 3 years.
About Their Name
The lipstick darter was first officially described in 1993. It was named by two scientists, Richard L. Mayden and Robert M. Wood. They found the first known specimen in Hillabee Creek, near Alexander City, Alabama. This fish is part of a group of darters called the greenbreast darter species complex.
