Bloodfin darter

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Bloodfin darter (Nothonotus sanguifluus)

The bloodfin darter is a small freshwater fish in the perch family. It is found only in the southeastern United States, mainly in streams on the Cumberland Plateau around the Big South Fork. Its range is small and patchy, and the exact effects of human changes to the landscape are not fully known. For now, it remains in the streams where it has always lived.

It grows up to about 9 cm (3.5 inches) long. It eats invertebrates and prefers high to moderate gradient streams with rocky or gravel bottoms, often at higher elevations.

Breeding happens in spring, once per year. The female lays about 20 eggs in or under rocks near fast-moving water, with eggs often clumped together. The larvae are attracted to light and spend 5 to 21 days in open water (pelagic) before moving to the bottom (benthic).

Conservation status: Least Concern. This is due to many subpopulations, no clear signs of a major decline, and a lack of major threats identified.