Blueface darter
📖 Overview
Blueface darter (Etheostoma cyanoprosopum), first described by Near & Kozal, 2017 is a tiny fish in the family Percidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 4.90 cm in maximum length. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Subtropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 9 - 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 7 - 9. Etheostoma cyanoprosopum is distinguished by the following characters: lateral line complete with 45 to 53 scales; 11 to 17 transverse scale rows ; 16 to 20 scales around the caudal peduncle 16 to 20 ; dorsal fin with modally 10 spines and 12 rays; anal fin with 2 spines and 7 to 9 soft rays; pectoral fin with modally 14 rays; nape, belly, and prepectoral area are scaled; breast naked in most specimens; nine lateral blotches of pigment on side of body, 8 to 10 dorsal saddles, a narrow suborbital bar; spinous dorsal fin with three distinct color bands in nuptial males; a distal-most thin turquoise band, a medial band of dark red, and a basal-most band of black spots; second dorsal fin with blue color on distal third and a more basal red band limited to the posterior two-thirds of the fin. Nuptial males possess a turquoise to darker blue color on the pelvic fins, caudal fin, and margin of the anal fin. A turquoise color on the breast extends to the underside of the head, snout, and cheeks. A pale white line extends along the lateral line to the middle of the second dorsal fin. Absence of a red ocellus in the first interradial membrane of the first dorsal fin in both males and females .
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Blueface darter is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Subtropical North America: Upland streams on the Cumberland Plateau in the upper Bear Creek system (Tennessee River drainage) and the Hubbard Creek system (Mobile Basin) in Alabama, USA.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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