Ashy Darter,  Etheostoma cinereum

 

Physical Description: 
�	Large pectoral fins
�	Slightly indented tail fin with marbled pigmentation
�	Somewhat elongate body
�	Long, pointed nose
�	Terminal mouth, big lips with little bumps
�	Dark spots on upper side tan or tan-olive colored body
�	Faint, vertical bars on lower side of body
�	Dark, round blotches in a line down the side
�	First dorsal fin with red band
�	Red color on second dorsal fin and tail fin

Similar species: 
�	Duskytail darter (Etheostoma percnurum)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 55-80 mm standard length 

Habitat:
�	Clear streams and rivers in slow pool edges around rubble and boulders

Distribution in VA:
�	Clinch River only � questionable status since fish kill in 1967

Food Habits:  
�	Insects and worms

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Mature at age 1 
�	Spawning occurs late February to mid-April in water at 9-20�C
�	Fecundity is unknown 

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	Special concern status nationally

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

Yellow Perch Dusky Darter Sharpnose Darter Blotchside Logperch Roanoke Logperch Logperch Stripeback Darter Appalachia Darter Shield Darter Roanoke Darter Gilt Darter Tangerine Darter Channel Darter Ashy Darter Swannanoa Darter Kanawha Darter Candy Darter Greenside Darter Greenside Darter Banded Darter Snubnose Darter Speckled Darter Longfin Darter Riverweed Darter Johnny Darter Glassy Darter Bluebreast Darter Redline Darter Tippecanoe Darter Sharphead Darter Wounded Darter Fantail Darter Sawcheek Darter Carolina Darter Rainbow Darter Swamp Darter Blueside Darter Spotted Darter Tessellated Darter Finescale Saddled Dart. Variegate Darter Blackside Darter Stripeback Darter Walleye Continue Browsing Families..... Petromyzontidae, Lampreys Polyodontidae, Paddlefish Acipenseridae, Sturgeons Lepisosteidae, Gars Amiidae, Bowfins Anguillidae, Freshwater Eels Amblyopsidae, Cavefishes Ictaluridae, Catfish Percopsidae, Trout-Perches Salmonidae, Trouts Clupeidae, Herrings Esocidae, Pikes Aphredoderidae, Pirate Perches Umbridae, Mudminnows Fundulidae, Killifishes Poeciliidae, Livebearers Cyprinidae, Minnows Catostomidae, Suckers Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks Atherinidae, Silversides Cottidae, Sculpins Sciaenidae, Drums Percidae, Perches Moronidae, Striped Basses Centrarchidae, Sunfishes