Iowa DNR
BioNet
River & Stream Biological Monitoring
Fish and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Surveys
Physical Habitat Assessments

Bluntnose Darter Etheostoma chlorosoma

Family
Percidae (Perches)
Tolerance
Sensitive
Trophic Class
Benthic Invertivore
Is Exotic to Iowa?
False
Is Lithophilous Spawner?
False
Is Hybrid?
False
State Listing Status
Endangered
Assessment Program Statistics

This species was found at 1 bioassessment site, 0 rapid fish bioassessment sites, 0 fisheries assessment sites, and 0 fisheries presence-only assessment sites. In total, it was collected at 1 distinct sites, or 0.1% of the 1513 total sites monitored by the bioassessment program. It is the 133rd most commonly collected species.

The Bluntnose Darter was collected in 1 bioassessment sampling session and 0 fisheries assessment sessions. It was present in 0 rapid bioassessment sessions and 0 presence-only sessions.

The biological assessment program has collected a total of 8 individual Bluntnose Darter specimens, ranking it the #122 most collected fish.

Species Characteristics

A slender, straw-colored darter with about six dark cross-bars on the back and small W and X-shaped markings scattered over the back and sides. Upper lip and snout are separated by a continuous groove, not connected at midline by a bridge of skin as in many darters. Midline of belly is without enlarged and modified scales. Gill covers are not broadly connected by membrane across the throat; distance from membrane notch to front of lower lip is equal to or less than the distance from the notch to the front of the pelvic fin base. Anal fin with one thin, flexible spine and 7 to 9 rays. Spinous dorsal with 9 or 10 spines. Similar to Johnny Darter, but with the following differences: snout more bluntly rounded; dark streak extending forward onto snout from eye meeting its opposite on tip of snout; cheek fully scaled; soft dorsal with 10 or 11 rays; lateral line incomplete, usually ending beneath soft dorsal; dorsal fins more widely separated. Similar in color to the Johnny Darter, but smaller, not over 2 inches long.

Species Distribution Maps

HUC12 watersheds where this species has been found