Orangethroat darter

Characteristics

In breeding condition these fish are a colorful darter with a mottled body with blueish vertical bars and red blotches; as the name implies the gill area is bright orange.

Distribution

Extremly limited in Iowa, found mostly in Linn, Louisa and Des Moines counties.

Foods

Chironomids, tiny crustaceans, small insect larvae

State Record

Expert Tip

Darters play an important role in aquatic food chains and are some of the most colorful fish in Iowa.

Details

The Orangethroat Darter is endangered in Iowa. Recent collections have been made at Marion Springs in Linn County, Knotty Creek, Yellow Springs Creek and Flint River in Des Moines County, Smith Creek in Louisa County, and Reeds Creek in Van Buren County.

This species prefers slow to swift riffles of headwater streams with sand, gravel, rubble or bedrock substrates.

Recent stream sampling information is available from Iowa DNR's biological monitoring and assessment program.