Gilt Darter,  Percina evides

 

Physical Description: 
�	Robust body
�	Two dorsal fins, almost connected
�	Large eye at top of head
�	Terminal mouth
�	Slightly rounded or blunt nose
�	Somewhat forked tail fin
�	Dark, blotches evenly spaced along the side in a line
�	Dark bands across back
�	Male colors very variable
�	First dorsal fin reddish-orange

Similar species: 
�	Bronze darter (Percina palmaris)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 50-60 mm standard length 

Habitat:
�	Clean streams and rivers in gravel and rubble in runs and riffles

Distribution in VA:
�	In the Tennessee drainages in the Powell, Clinch, and North and South Fork Holston Rivers

Food Habits:
  �	Insects 

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Mature around age 1 or 2
�	Spawning occurs May to July in water 17-20�C
�	Spawn in sand and gravel in riffles
�	Buries its eggs
�	Fecundity is 132-347 eggs per female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	Change colors rapidly
�	Extirpated from three northern states

References:       

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

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