Least darter
📖 Overview
Occur in quiet, vegetated lakes, headwaters, creeks and small rivers ; also found in streams and springs to ponds . Usually found over mud and sand . Adults feed on midge larvae, isopods, and microcrustaceans, particularly copepods . Eggs are found attached to the substrate unguarded .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Physical description for Least darter is currently being compiled.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Least darter is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Adapted for feeding on prey active on and around plants, the species has a terminal mouth, orienting the opening towards prey anterior to the fish. With its long peduncle, long pectoral fins, and laterally compressed body, E. microperca is able to be fast and efficient in capturing its prey. The preferred prey are Batidae nymphs, Tanytarsini (e.g. Tantarsus) and Orthocladiinae (e.g. Corynoneura, Cricotopus). Small items, such as microcrustaceans and Chironomidae, are also important in the diet of E. micoperca. These prey are very small, as this particular species is very small itself in body size and mouth.
🥚 Reproduction
Eggs are found attached to the substrate unguarded . From Ref. 7043, 'a ripe female is courted by males and when ready to spawn positions herself on vegetation, often vertically. A male mounts the female and clasps her back with his enlarged pelvic fins. The two fish vibrate and one to three eggs are deposited on living or dead vegetation.The pair moves to another spot and more eggs are laid.'
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.0 - 7.8; dH range: ? - 15. Temperate; 10°C - 22°C ; 47°N - 34°N North America: Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins from eastern Ontario in Canada and from Minnesota south to southern Ohio, central Indiana and central Illinois in the USA; Ozarks-Ouachita drainages of southern Missouri, southeastern Kansas, northwestern Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma in the USA.
🌿 Ecology
midge larvae, isopods, and microcrustaceans, particularly copepods (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Least Darter |
| 🌍CES | candátek černoskvrnný |
| 🇫🇷French | petit dard |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Малый дартер |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microperca punctulata | Putnam | 1863 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 3 records indexed .
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