Etheostoma microperca Jordan & Gilbert, 1888
Least darter
Etheostoma microperca
photo by The Native Fish Conservancy

Family:  Percidae (Perches), subfamily: Etheostomatinae
Max. size:  4.4 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 2 years
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 7 - 7.80000019073486; dH range: 15
Distribution:  North America: Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins from eastern Ontario in Canada and from Minnesota south to southern Ohio, central Indiana and central Illinois in the USA; Ozarks-Ouachita drainages of southern Missouri, southeastern Kansas, northwestern Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma in the USA.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Occur in quiet, vegetated lakes, headwaters, creeks and small rivers (Ref. 5723); also found in streams and springs to ponds (Ref. 10294). Usually found over mud and sand (Ref. 5723, 10294). Adults feed on midge larvae, isopods, and microcrustaceans, particularly copepods (Ref. 10294). Eggs are found attached to the substrate unguarded (Ref. 7043).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 December 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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