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Darter (?) and Sunfish

Started by Guest_rndouglas_* , Jun 20 2010 09:50 PM

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12 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_rndouglas_*

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Posted 20 June 2010 - 09:50 PM

Is this a female (?) Bluegill?

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Early this evening I went to a nearby creek (central Missouri) and noticed a group of about 10 of these guys "darting" back and forth in a shallow, fast moving part of the creek that was apart from the main channel. I think this guy was about 2" in length, but there were also larger fish that appeared to be the same species in the group. My best guess was a Slenderhead Darter.

I don't think the color comes through too well here, but there was a bit of orange on the dorsal fin.

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Since I've never seen a darter, I also took a photo of what it looked like when it was in the water (albeit in a net) with the same general posture it was taking while on the creek bottom.

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#2 Guest_NVCichlids_*

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Posted 20 June 2010 - 10:16 PM

i would say yes to female bluegill and the darter looks to be a female rainbow darter. Just my opinion, someone with better ID'ing skills will chime in.

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#3 Guest_rndouglas_*

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Posted 21 June 2010 - 09:26 PM

Any other darter opinions? I'm going back to the creek tomorrow, so maybe I can get another look in hand. What field marks should I really be paying attention to if I can catch one again?

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#4 Guest_Drew_*

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Posted 21 June 2010 - 09:52 PM

Here is a good pic of a female rainbow darter : http://gallery.nanfa...male 3.JPG.html

Dave Neely has a nice gallery of Fishes of MO : http://gallery.nanfa.../Dave Neely/MO/

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#5 Guest_smbass_*

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Posted 22 June 2010 - 11:10 PM

yes your bluegill appears to be a female. As far as the darter goes that very distinct tear drop under the eye is making me think it is more likely and orangethroat rather than a rainbow darter. Also check out the Mud Darter as a possibility. Were you on a large river, small stream and what part of the state generally were you in. All of this will help give a more proper ID along with additional photos, particularly one of the anal fin of that darter may help.

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#6 Guest_rndouglas_*

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Posted 23 June 2010 - 07:00 AM

Here's the only decent photo (it was nearing sunset) I could get last night:

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I could see what I assumed was a male, but I couldn't catch it. I was left with the impression that it was very orangish-pink overall, vs. the brown in the above female. I might be going back on Thursday, so I'll focus on the anal fin if I'm lucky enough to find another.

I was on the Bonne Femme Creek south of Columbia, MO, which (I think) drains directly to the Missouri River. The portion I've been visiting is an intermittent area that has pockets of deep, seemingly stagnant water intermixed with shallow fast flowing areas.

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#7 Guest_NateTessler13_*

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Posted 23 June 2010 - 02:41 PM

Also check out the Mud Darter as a possibility.

Brian, that was my thought exactly when I saw that picture. Looks like a Mud Darter (Etheostoma asprigene) to me.

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#8 Guest_NVCichlids_*

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Posted 23 June 2010 - 03:31 PM

i will take back my female rainbow and go with the mud darter (looked through several pictures and would agree 100%)

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#9 Guest_rndouglas_*

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Posted 23 June 2010 - 07:40 PM

I know I'm new at this, but I disagree with Mud Darter for a few reasons. The range maps I have found for Mud Darter (including Peterson Guide) do not show Mud Darter to be living close to Columbia, MO. Also, the habitat described in the Peterson guide does not fit the habitat where this fish was collected. Lastly, the images I've seen online and in books do not fit for the male that I saw in the water.

To me, this seems more like an Orangethroat Darter. Guess I won't know for sure until I get better images/collect a male! :biggrin:

Orangethroat: Posted Image

Mud:

I really do appreciate all of your helpful suggestions that have steered me away from my original guess. I'm a long-time birder/herper who has only recently re-discovered fish!

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#10 Guest_smbass_*

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Posted 23 June 2010 - 10:02 PM

I think you are correct, with the additional info about the habitat and locality along with an additional photo seem to all point toward orangethroat as the most logical choice. It is good to see you doing your own research to try to figure this out too rather than just relying on us to ID it for you. Refreshing to see that from a new member! Just to drive it home for sure if you do get a male and can get a shot of the anal fin post it for us.

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#11 Guest_rndouglas_*

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Posted 24 June 2010 - 08:43 PM

Okay! Went back tonight and caught a male! It actually just swam right into the net when I set it on the substrate behind it. Good little fish.

Orangethroat?

Photos:
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