Collecting Pics.

After I had lost close to 500 photos, I recently discovered that I had uploaded them online.
Here are a few random collecting pics from this year:


The "deeper water." I have to swim with the seine through it.


The plant field. (plant shown reaches 6 feet or more then dies off in fall)


Attempted underwater shot.


Female Fantail Darter.


Another.


One of the better shiners in the area. (I cannot recall the name)


Yet another Fantail.


Darter Haven.


The Plant Field Again:


I have more, also.
Hope you enjoyed them!

Nice pictures

By the way, how did you sex the darters? Actually, how does anyone sex anything? Is there some kind of (preferably free) resource available for this?

It really comes down to what fish your working with.
Certain fish cannot be sexed, others from just a quick glance, certain anatomical details (nose shape, fin length/width/color, etc.), and the list goes on.
With most darters, though, it's easy to distinguish the two.
As they age, they "usually" have size differences, pattern changes, duller or brighter colors, etc.
Hopefully someone else can chime in .

With Fantails, at least in my area, the males differ greatly.

Females:
Smaller
Thicker/Rounder Body.
Darker Pattern.
Short and Pointed Head/Mouth.

Male:
Larger
Thin Body Shape
Differing Pattern and Color
(older males will become pale, with a black head during breeding)
Longer, and Less Pointed Head/Mouth.

When you see the two side-by-side after a few trips, you can tell the difference.