Rank Species | Phylum Chordata | |
 | ||
Similar Etheostoma, Goldstripe darter, Harlequin darter, Etheostoma gracile, Boulder darter | ||
Redfin darter arkansas
The redfin darter (Etheostoma whipplei) is a member of the family Percidae. It's a species of darter, where it occupies Gulf drainages from Mobile Bay in Alabama to Neches River in Texas, the Mississippi River basin from Mississippi to southeastern Kansas, eastern Oklahoma and northeastern Texas. It inhabits sandy and rocky pools, sometimes runs and riffles, of headwaters, creeks and small rivers. This species can reach a length of 9.0 cm (3.5 in), though most only reach about 5.5 cm (2.2 in). Smaller specimens are more common in larger streams, whereas larger specimens are common in smaller streams.
Contents
Ethostoma whipplei mating redfin darters
Descripton
The redfin darter is a large colorful darter, with females and juveniles looking grayish and mottled with 8-10 vague saddles on their back. The snout is slightly pointed and the lips are dark. There are prominent bars that are suborbital and extend above, behind, and in front of the eye creating a cross through the eye. The bar in front of the eye nearly joins with the bar on the opposite side of the upper lip, making it appear in a spear-like pattern if viewed from above. Etheostoma whipplei have an incomplete lateral line and the cheeks and breast area appear naked. Males in breeding colors have bright red spots that occur on the sides, the spots may not be as vivid and distinct in some specimens located in central Louisiana. They also have red spots on the spinous dorsal basal interradial membranes, and then a broad golden area followed by a bright red submarginal band with a deep blue band on the fin margin. The anul fin had a red base with the same vivid, deep blue as the dorsal, in the margins.