Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

Darter ID help

Started by Guest_sbtgrfan_* , Jul 23 2014 10:33 PM

Please log in to reply

7 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_sbtgrfan_*

Guests

Posted 23 July 2014 - 10:33 PM

Hey yall,

Shot this pic while taking a lunch break during work and I think I've got it narrowed down to either Rainbow Darter or Orangethroat Darter. This is from Big Piney Creek in NW Arkansas. I'm leaning towards Orangethroat based on the more spotted lateral stripe and the half colored/half plain body as I've never noticed a rainbow with those characteristics. I've also got other pictures that show the preorbital stripe being broken and unless I read something wrong, that's a characteristic of an Orangethroat and not Rainbow. I could be wrong though. Any help?

Thanks

IMGP0479.JPG 124.51KB 10 downloads

IMGP0492.JPG 113.66KB 5 downloads

Back to top

#2 mattknepley

NANFA Member

Smack-dab between the Savannah and the Saluda.

Posted 24 July 2014 - 05:44 AM

Stephen! I can't tell you what it is, but it's good to hear from ya!

Matt Knepley
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."

Back to top

#3 Guest_Skipjack_*

Guests

Posted 24 July 2014 - 06:29 AM

It looks like spectabile to me as well, but I have recently seen some photos of some really funky looking rainbows in Arkansas.

Back to top

#4 Guest_jblaylock_*

Guests

Posted 24 July 2014 - 09:38 AM

I agree with DLV, E. spectabile

Back to top

#5 Guest_BenCantrell_*

Guests

Posted 24 July 2014 - 12:36 PM

I can't remember where I got this graphic, so I apologize that I can't give the owner credit (I'll add the reference if anyone knows it).

Based on the location, would it be one of the species being split off from E. spectabile?

Posted Image

Back to top

#6 Isaac Szabo

NANFA Member

Marble Falls, AR

Posted 24 July 2014 - 12:56 PM

My first thought was orangethroat as well, but I wasn't entirely confident. It can be tough as there are various forms of both orangethroats and rainbows in the Ozarks. The Big Piney is an Arkansas River drainage stream, so your fish would likely be E. pulchellum based on Ben's map.

Back to top

#7 Guest_sbtgrfan_*

Guests

Posted 24 July 2014 - 09:10 PM

Thanks guys. I'm comfortable calling it a subspecies, as E. pulchellum. Either way, still a cool fish. There were a ton of them around. Almost every rock had one under it or around it. I stood in the river and must have had 20 or 30 surround my feet, all of various sizes, it's crazy.