Banded darter
Etheostoma zonale
Where at Shedd?
At Home on the Great Lakes
| Diet | Insects, insect larvae |
|---|---|
| Size | Up to 3 inches (7.8 cm); common length: 2 inches (5.3 cm) |
| Type | Fishes |
| Range | North America |
| Habitat | Freshwater streams |
About the Banded darter
A relative of the perch, this fish is one of the most common darters in North America. It lives in small to medium-sized rivers from New York and Minnesota south to Arkansas and Georgia.
Did you know?
Male banded darters go green during breeding season — developing bright green bands to replace the usual olive-brown.
- Darters hold on in fast currents by wedging themselves between rocks, braced by their large pectoral fins.