Iowa Darter Etheostoma exile
This species was found at 24 bioassessment sites, 2 rapid fish bioassessment sites, 3 fisheries assessment sites, and 1 fisheries presence-only assessment site. In total, it was collected at 29 distinct sites, or 1.9% of the 1522 total sites monitored by the bioassessment program. It is the 82nd most commonly collected species.
The Iowa Darter was collected in 38 bioassessment sampling sessions and 3 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 227 individual Iowa Darter specimens, ranking it the #86 most collected fish.
A very slender, moderate-sized darter reaching about 2 1/2-inches long. It is bright green with dark brown blotches and small red spots on the sides, belly fading to yellow or gold and white, dorsal fin rays 9 to 11, 7 anal rays, about 60 scales along the lateral line, which is incomplete. The cheeks, opercles and nape are scaled and the breast is naked.
Photo credit: John Olson. 18 May 2018. Off-channel area.
Photo Credit John Olson
HUC12 watersheds where this species has been found