Percina maculata
| Blackside darter | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Percidae |
| Genus: | Percina |
| Species: | P. maculata |
| Binomial name | |
| Percina maculata (Girard, 1859) | |
Percina maculata, the blackside darter is a species of fish in the Percidae family. It is a widespread inhabitant of streams and rivers in the Mississippi River watershed. Like other darters it prefers rocky riffles and sandy runs, but is tolerant of pools and still water as well.[1] It is one of the 324 fish species found in Tennessee.[2]
Physical characteristics
The Blackside darter is easily distinguishable by the olive coloration and black strip along the side made up of 6-9 black spots.[3]
Geographic distribution
Found in the Hudson Bay, Mississippi River basin, and the Gulf drainages from Mobile Bay in Alabama to the Calcasieu River in Louisiana.[4]