Page 103 - A Field Guide to Fairfax County's Plants and Wildlife
P. 103
sellated Darter
(Etheostoma olmstedi)
Description
This fish has a slender
shape and relatively
large fins. The first
dorsal fin is very high
and spiny. Its olive-
colored body is marked
with up to 11 dark “x”
and “w” shapes on
each side. Its belly is yellowish. Males have black pelvic fins and anal fins. The
adult is usually 3.5 to 5.5 centimeters long. It matures at about one year old.
The breeding season lasts from May through June. They make nests in small
crevices under rocks or logs. Females leave after laying eggs, while the males
stay to guard them. They nest close together, and three or four males may
guard each other’s nests. They live two to four years.
Distribution and Habitat
The Tessellated Darter is found in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont provinces.
This is the most common kind of darter found in Fairfax County. It lives in quiet
freshwater streams and rivers.
Role in Food Web
Tessellated Darters help to control
insect populations. They eat
midges, water fleas, Asian Tiger
Mosquitos, Eastern Dobsonflies,
Large Diving Beetles, Green
Darners, Green Algae, aquatic
worms and Northern Caddis Flies.
Predators include Largemouth
Bass, Channel Catfish, Yellow
Perch, Black Crappies, Bluegills,
Creek Chubs, Eastern Red-spotted
Newts, Belted Kingfishers, Great
Blue Herons and Northern Water
Snakes.
r 99 r
(Etheostoma olmstedi)
Description
This fish has a slender
shape and relatively
large fins. The first
dorsal fin is very high
and spiny. Its olive-
colored body is marked
with up to 11 dark “x”
and “w” shapes on
each side. Its belly is yellowish. Males have black pelvic fins and anal fins. The
adult is usually 3.5 to 5.5 centimeters long. It matures at about one year old.
The breeding season lasts from May through June. They make nests in small
crevices under rocks or logs. Females leave after laying eggs, while the males
stay to guard them. They nest close together, and three or four males may
guard each other’s nests. They live two to four years.
Distribution and Habitat
The Tessellated Darter is found in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont provinces.
This is the most common kind of darter found in Fairfax County. It lives in quiet
freshwater streams and rivers.
Role in Food Web
Tessellated Darters help to control
insect populations. They eat
midges, water fleas, Asian Tiger
Mosquitos, Eastern Dobsonflies,
Large Diving Beetles, Green
Darners, Green Algae, aquatic
worms and Northern Caddis Flies.
Predators include Largemouth
Bass, Channel Catfish, Yellow
Perch, Black Crappies, Bluegills,
Creek Chubs, Eastern Red-spotted
Newts, Belted Kingfishers, Great
Blue Herons and Northern Water
Snakes.
r 99 r
