FANTAIL DARTER - Etheostoma flabellare
GREENSIDE DARTER - Etheostoma blennioides
SHIELD DARTER - Percina peltata
STRIPEBACK DARTER - Percina notogramma
TESSELLATED DARTER - Etheostoma olmstedi
YELLOW PERCH - Perca flavescens
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Fantail Darter
Scientific Name: Etheostoma flabellare
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 2 to 3 inches
Diet: Aquatic insects
Distribution sampling sites: Map
The fantail darter is part of a group of fishes that have rudimentary or no air bladders to regulate their position in the water column. These fish spend their time on the stream bottom feeding primarily on aquatic insects.
GREENSIDE DARTER
Scientific Name: Etheostoma blennioides
Fairfax County Native: Unknown
Size: 4 inches
Diet: Aquatic insects
Distribution sampling sites: Map
This darter inhabits the bottom of swift flowing streams where its lack of a swim bladder allows the darter to hug the bottom of the stream.
SHIELD DARTER
Scientific Name: Percina peltata
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 3 inches
Diet: Aquatic insects
Distribution sampling sites: Map
This darter is a benthic species meaning that it inhabits the bottom of the stream. The lack of a swim bladder allows the darter to stay at the bottom of the stream.
STRIPEBACK DARTER
Scientific Name: Percina notogramma
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 3 inches
Diet: Aquatic insects
Distribution sampling sites: Map
The stripeback darter is rare in Fairfax County. It is easily distinguished from other local darters by the line of black circles down its side.
TESSELLATED DARTER
Scientific Name: Etheostoma olmstedi
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 2 to 3 inches
Diet: Aquatic insects
Distribution sampling sites: Map
The tessellated darter is the most common darter found in Fairfax County and the fourth most common fish collected. The males of the species are known to care for the nests of other tessellated darters (known as alloparental care).
YELLOW PERCH
Scientific Name: Perca flavescens
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 12 inches, rarely larger
Diet: Fish, aquatic insects and other invertebrates
Distribution sampling sites: Map
Yellow perch are residents of the tidal Potomac River and rarely venture inland into Fairfax County streams. Yellow perch are easy to catch and are considered one of the tastiest freshwater fish. The Virginia state record is 2 pounds, 7 ounces.