Rainbow Darter Etheostoma caeruleum
This species was found at 46 bioassessment sites, 2 rapid fish bioassessment sites, 35 fisheries assessment sites, and 1 fisheries presence-only assessment site. In total, it was collected at 79 distinct sites, or 5.4% of the 1472 total sites monitored by the bioassessment program. It is the 57th most commonly collected species.
The Rainbow Darter was collected in 114 bioassessment sampling sessions and 170 fisheries assessment sessions. It was present in 2 rapid bioassessment sessions and 1 presence-only session.
The biological assessment program has collected a total of 14,521 individual Rainbow Darter specimens, ranking it the #24 most collected fish.
A fairly large and stout-bodied species about 2 1/2-inches long. It is brownish-olive with 8 or 9 greenish-brown bars on the sides, orange belly, bluish-brown cheeks, and irridescent golden-green opercle. The spinous dorsal fin is edged with blue and has a row of reddish spots, sides with about a dozen bluish blotches, and light orange fins. There are 12 dorsal fin rays, 7 anal rays, and 45 or more scales along the lateral line. This species is the most brilliantly colored of all darters.
HUC12 watersheds where this species has been found