Savannah darter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Savannah darter |
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The Savannah darter (Etheostoma fricksium) is a small, freshwater fish. It belongs to a group of fish called darters. These fish are part of the perch family, which also includes perches and pikeperches.
This darter lives only in the eastern United States. You can find it in rivers like the Edisto, Combahee, Broad, and Savannah River in South Carolina and Georgia. It likes to live in rocky or sandy parts of creeks and small rivers where the water moves quickly. The Savannah darter can grow up to about 7.4 centimeters (about 3 inches) long.
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What the Savannah Darter Looks Like
Darters have bodies shaped like a torpedo, which helps them move through water. They have large fins on their sides. They also have a small swim bladder, which is a gas-filled organ that helps fish float. Because of this, darters often rest on the river bottom. They use their pectoral fins (side fins) to prop themselves up.
The Savannah darter can grow to about 7.4 cm (3 inches) long. Most are between 3.5 to 6 cm (1.4 to 2.4 inches). Male darters are usually bigger than females. However, there are more females than males.
This fish has a small, cone-shaped head. A wide tan or golden stripe runs along its back. Dark stripes run along each side of this pale stripe. The color of these stripes can change, but the pale stripe on its back is always easy to see.
Its sides have eight to twelve dark bars or spots. When males are ready to breed, these bars are separated by reddish streaks. Females have much duller colors during this time. The front fin on its back has a narrow dark green edge. Breeding males have a wide red stripe on this fin, while females have a narrow red stripe. Near its tail, there are three or four dark spots.
Where the Savannah Darter Lives
The Savannah darter is found in the southeastern United States. It lives in South Carolina and Georgia. You can find it in the Edisto, Combahee, Savannah, and Broad River areas.
It prefers fast-flowing parts of creeks and small rivers. It likes areas with sand and gravel on the bottom. You might also find it near water plants, sunken wood, or under overhanging riverbanks.
What the Savannah Darter Eats
The Savannah darter mainly eats water insects. It especially likes small midge larvae, which are tiny worm-like insects. It also eats small worms, tiny molluscs, and very small water creatures called zooplankton. Sometimes, it eats insects that fall into the water from land. It looks for food among water plants and woody debris in the river.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Savannah darters breed in the spring. This happens when the water temperature is between 11 and 23 degrees Celsius (52 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit). The female lays small groups of sticky eggs. She buries these eggs in gravel or sand on the river bottom.
These fish grow up quickly. They become ready to have their own babies before they are one year old. Savannah darters usually live for up to three years.
Conservation Status
The Savannah darter is a common fish. It is found in many small streams within its river systems. It does not face any major threats right now. Its population seems to be stable. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) says it is a species of "least concern". This means it is not in danger of disappearing.
