Defending the Darter

• Description: Defending the Darter
• State: CO
• Title: Defending the Darter
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Publication

In the late 1800s, streams along the eastern plains
and the Arkansas River drainage were inhabited by 25
species of native fish, primarily smaller minnows and
perch. The Arkansas darter was one of them. This tiny
perch was found in the Arkansas River drainage in
southeast Colorado, southern Kansas, northeastern
Oklahoma, southwestern Missouri and northwest
Arkansas.
However, today the Arkansas darter is scarce in the
lower Arkansas River drainage and is listed as a threat-
ened species in Colorado. The Colorado Division of
Wildlife is working to protect the darter and make sure
it doesn't end up on the federal endangered species list,
a designation that implies a precarious status for the
species.
Small Perch of Shallow Streams
The Arkansas darter (Etheostoma cragini) is a mem-
ber of the perch family (Percidae) that grows no more
than 2.5 inches long. This fish has a short, blunt snout
with an inconspicuous mouth. It has two dorsal fins, the
first a spiny one and the second being soft - rayed, as
well as an anal fin with two spines. During breeding
season, males turn bright orange along their ventral sur-
face and gill membranes. Females are dark tan with
brown -black on their dorsal surface. Both sexes have
12 -14 dusky bars along their midsides, a dark wedge -
shaped spot below their eyes and undersides covered
with tiny dark spots.
Arkansas darters normally are found in small, shal- also could be related to the darters' status.
low, clear streams. These are usually spring -fed streams In 1975, the Wildlife Commission listed the Arkansas
with sandy bottoms, slow currents of cool water and darter as threatened in Colorado. It is also listed as threat -
lots of aquatic vegetation, such as watercress. Darters ened in Kansas, endangered in Oklahoma and vulnerable
feed on a variety of aquatic insects and some plants, in Arkansas. While not listed as threatened or endangered
such as small seeds. Mayflies are their main food. federally, it has been a candidate species since 1987.
A Little History About This Little Fish
Scientific information about the Arkansas darter is
scant. The earliest historic records show the darters were
found around Sell's Lake near Canon City in 1889 and
1913, as well as in a spring -fed arroyo at Lake Station in
Lincoln County in 1918. Although little data exists to
accurately assess the darters' historic abundance and dis-
tribution, fisheries biologists believe that suitable habitat
for the species was much more widespread than today.
Early records indicate these fish existed as far north as
Limon and as far west as Canon City. DOW biologists
also point out that early surveys were conducted along
mainstem river drainages and transportation lines —
places Arkansas darters don't normally live.
Disappearing Darters
The Arkansas darter and its habitat is uncommon.
Since the turn of the 20th century, significant changes
have likely occurred to the habitat in the lower Arkansas
River drainage. Land development, water diversions,
reduced water quality and damage of streambank vege-
tation may have contributed to habitat loss. Stocking
non - native fishes and collection of minnows for bait
Where Are They Now?
Between 1979 an 1981, the DOW surveyed 137
sites in 40 drainages of the lower Arkansas basin.
Arkansas darters were found at 12 sites in five counties:
El Paso, Elbert, Lincoln, Pueblo and Prowers. Most of
the fish were found along Big Sandy, Rush and
Fountain creeks. Recently, the DOW completed a
three -year plains native fish inventory in 1996, which
examined more than 2,000 sites in the Arkansas River
drainage. Darters were found at 28 sites in the same
five counties with new populations recorded along the
Arkansas River, and Antelope, Horse and Fountain