Riverweed Darter,  Etheostoma podostemone

 

Physical Description: 
�	Large pectoral fins
�	High dorsal fins
�	Eyes almost on top of head
�	Rounded tail fin 
�	Elongate body
�	Blunt nose and terminal mouth
�	�XW�-shaped blotches or evenly spaced spots on side of body
�	Dorsal and tail fins yellow with light orange spots
�	Lower fins dark
�	Green and yellow body

Similar species: 
�	Johnny darter (Etheostoma nigrum)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 30-55 standard length 

Habitat:
�	Streams and rivers over clean, loose boulders, rubble, and gravel in swift runs and riffles  

Distribution in VA:
�	Found in upper and middle Roanoke drainage

Food Habits:  
�	Insects, some mites, snails, and fish eggs 

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Mature by age 1 or 2
�	Spawning occurs late March to late May in water 17-20�C
�	Males territorial
�	Eggs adhesive and laid in clusters under rocks 
�	Fecundity is about 123-345 eggs per female 

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	Common in its range

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