Etheostoma fonticola (Jordan & Gilbert, 1886)
Fountain darter
Etheostoma fonticola
photo by The Native Fish Conservancy

Family:  Percidae (Perches), subfamily: Etheostomatinae
Max. size:  4.3 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: found only in San Marcos and Comal springs and their effluent rivers (Guadalupe River system) in southern central Texas, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 6-8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-13; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 5-8; Vertebrae: 32-33
Biology:  Occur in vegetated springs, pools and runs of effluent rivers (Ref. 5723). Feed primarily on cladocerans, copepods, amphipods, and aquatic insects (Ref. 54633). Spawn throughout the year (Ref. 75081) at 33-day interval (Ref. 31966). Eggs are found attached to the substrate unguarded (Ref. 7043).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 12 December 2011 (B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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