Kingdom Animalia Class Actinopterygii Family Percidae Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Order Perciformes Genus Percina | |
Similar Percina, Percina roanoka, Dusky darter, Mobile logperch, Longnose darter | ||
The shield darter (Percina peltata) is a fish belonging to the genus Percina. It is recognized by its row of modified star-shaped scales on the midline of the belly, and by its conspicuous pattern of a line of party connected, rectangular, black blotches along the side. The shield darter most resembles the blackside darter but the blackside darter has scales on the cheeks. It has an elongate body and slightly compressed features. Its dorsal fins are separate, with scales in the interspace sand a ridge of membrane forming a low superficial keel. The margin of the first dorsal fin is arched. Its fourth and fifth spines are the longest, and its membrane is a little incised. The gill membranes separate, and they overlap anteriorly. The shield darter is a pale straw yellow. The species does not develop bright breeding colors, nor to they have breeding tubercles. They reach slightly more than 3 inches when fully grown. It ranges from the Hudson River to the Neuse River in North Carolina. The species prefers living in clear, moderately-sized creeks, with gravel and rubble bottoms and a considerable current.