Blackside Darter,  Percina maculata

 

Physical Description: 
�	Elongate body
�	Two dorsal fins, almost connected
�	Large eye near top of head
�	Terminal mouth
�	Very slight fork in tail fin
�	Yellow-olive-colored body
�	Dark, somewhat round blotches along the side in a line, connected by a band of pigment
�	Mottled pattern on back
�	Black spot at base of tail fin

Similar species: 
�	Logperch (Percina caprodes)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 40-70 mm standard length 

Habitat:
�	Clean streams and rivers in many different habitats

Distribution in VA:
�	Found in Big Sandy drainage in early 1900s, but has not been found in any Virginia drainage since then

Food Habits:  
�	Insects 

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Mature by age 1 or 2
�	Spawning occurs March to mid-May 
�	Occurs over sand and gravel in some current
�	Buries its eggs
�	Fecundity is 1,000-1,758 eggs per female 
�	Hybridizes with the logperch

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	No longer found in Virginia
�	Status in Virginia is undetermined or extirpated
�	Widespread in much of its range

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.
If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service):

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