Small fish with dark vertical bands along a pale tan body.

Banded darter

Etheostoma zonale
Where at Shedd?
At Home on the Great Lakes
Diet Insects and insect larvae
Size Length: Up to 3 inches (7.8 cm); common length 2 inches (5.3 cm)
Type Fishes
Range North America
Habitat Streams from southwestern New York to Minnesota, south to northern Georgia, northern Alabama and southern Arkansas

Did you know?

  1. Male banded darters go green during breeding season—developing bright green bands to replace the usual olive-brown.
  2. Darters hold on in fast currents by wedging themselves between rocks, braced by their large pectoral fins.

IUCN Red List Conservation Status