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

Blackside Darter Percina maculata

Family
Percidae (Perches)
Tolerance
Sensitive
Trophic Class
Benthic Invertivore
Is Exotic to Iowa?
False
Is Lithophilous Spawner?
False
Is Hybrid?
False
State Listing Status
Not Listed
Assessment Program Statistics

This species was found at 161 bioassessment sites, 6 rapid fish bioassessment sites, 43 fisheries assessment sites, and 2 fisheries presence-only assessment sites. In total, it was collected at 205 distinct sites, or 13.5% of the 1513 total sites monitored by the bioassessment program. It is the 35th most commonly collected species.

The Blackside Darter was collected in 349 bioassessment sampling sessions and 100 fisheries assessment sessions. It was present in 6 rapid bioassessment sessions and 2 presence-only sessions.

The biological assessment program has collected a total of 2,651 individual Blackside Darter specimens, ranking it the #48 most collected fish.

Species Characteristics

A moderate-sized darter reaching a maximum length of about 4-inches. It is greenish-yellow with seven oblong splotches connected along the sides and irregularly mottled on the back. The cheeks are covered with small scales. The dorsal fin rays number 12, and the anal fin has 9 rays.

Species Distribution Maps

HUC12 watersheds where this species has been found