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

Iowa Darter Etheostoma exile

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 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 1513 total sites monitored by the bioassessment program. It is the 81st most commonly collected species.

The Iowa Darter was collected in 37 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 226 individual Iowa Darter specimens, ranking it the #86 most collected fish.

Species Characteristics

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.

Species Distribution Maps

HUC12 watersheds where this species has been found