Rainbow darter (Etheostoma caeruleum) fish species and information / pictures of Rainbow darter - Etheostoma caeruleum

Rainbow darter (Etheostoma caeruleum) fish species information

Scientific Name
Etheostoma caeruleum

Common Name
Rainbow darter

Biology
Adults inhabit fast gravel and rubble riffles of creeks and small to medium rivers (Ref. 5723, 10294); also found in streams (Ref. 10294). Feed on midge larvae, hydropsychid and hydroptilid caddisfly larvae, mayfly nymphs, and fish eggs (Ref. 10294). Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 36980). Eggs are found buried in the substrate (Ref. 7043).

Classification

Classified By
Storer, 1845
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Perch-like fish (Perciformes)
Family
Perches (Percidae)

Distribution

Region
North America
Distribution
North America: Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins from southern Ontario in Canada and from western New York to Minnesota, and south to northern Alabama and Arkansas in the USA. Isolated populations in southwestern Mississippi and eastern Louisiana, and in upper Potomac River drainage in West Virginia, USA.
Range
46°N - 30°N

Environment

Climate
Temperate
Water Temperature From
4 °C
Water Temperature To
18 °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
Unknown m
Zone
benthopelagic
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic
Trophic Level
3.3 s.e. 0.46 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
False
Occurs in Brackish water
False
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
7.7 cm
Common Length
5.3 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Unknown
Vulnerability
Low vulnerability (17 of 100)
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.64-0.82; tmax=3; Fec=508-1462)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status
  Not Evaluated