| Etheostoma phytophilum | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Percidae |
| Genus: | Etheostoma |
| Species: | E. phytophilum |
| Binomial name | |
| Etheostoma phytophilum Bart and Taylor, 1999 |
|
Etheostoma phytophilum is a rare species of fish in the perch family known by the common name rush darter. It is endemic to Alabama in the United States, where it occurs in three river systems. It was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States on August 9, 2011, a ruling which will take effect on September 8, 2011.[1]
This fish measures about 5 centimeters in length. It is similar to its relative, the goldstripe darter (Etheostoma parvipinne), but with paler coloration.[1][2]
The rush darter lives in clear shallow waters where it shelters around the root masses of aquatic vegetation. It tolerates a variety of substrates, including sand, silt, and gravel. The fry develop in wetland pools. Little else is known about the fish's life history.[1]
This fish is currently known from three Alabama river drainages: the Clear Creek drainage in Winston County, some springs in Jefferson County, and Little Cove Creek drainage in Etowah County. Its total range is contained in 14.5 kilometers of waterways.[1]
This species is threatened by the degradation of its habitat from excessive sedimentation.[1]