So what do I have here?

Just getting my 75 gal native tank going. Went prowling around my creek, and all I could find is this little darter, plus two large crawfish that are currently arguing over who gets the spot next to the filter intake.

Can anyone tell me what this is? Doesn't look like a rainbow to me, and that creek normally has plenty of them.

I can't be sure from your picture, but something about the mouth makes me think it could be a fantail darter. It seems to have the protruding lower jaw, though maybe that's just the camera angle. I have one in my tank that has similar markings on it's sides, although mine also has closely spaced horizontal pinstripes running the length of its body which I don't see on yours. Does it seem to have little knobs on the tips of it's first dorsal fin? I sort of think I can see something there, but it might be backscatter or my imagination.
If you can get a few more pictures it would probably make it easier to id.

Looks like a Fantail Darter (Etheostoma fabellarae) to me as well. Based on the cryptic coloration, I think it may be a female. Can't be 100% sure, though as I am not familiar with the fish of Kentucky.

I'd say it's a fantail darter, Etheostoma flabellare, as well. Definitely a Catonotus group and I don't think stripetail darters, E. kennicotti, are all that common around there. You should be able to tell by looking at the first dorsal fin: if it has a dark band at the bottom next to the body and mostly clear above that it is E. flabellare, but if it has a light band at the bottom next to the body and a darker band above that it is E. kennicotti. I'm guessing the creek you collected it from is a Kentucky River tributary, in which case it is also more likely an E. flabellare. There are some really great darters to be seen within 45 min of you, so you should have a lot of fun stocking your tank. Ben

Edited by bpkeck, 26 March 2008 - 08:58 AM.

I have to agree. I do not see kennicotti here. I am 99.9% sure you have a fantail.

Ok, I'm getting better at photographing these little fellows. They sure are curious, and don't like to hold still. Here's the same guy, a little clearer:



And another one I got yesterday



and a big fellow, who's actually becoming a bit obnoxious in the tank. Photo doesn't show it, but he has a dark stripe on the dorsal fin.



While I was prowling the creek that day, I did encounter the largest banded sculpin I've ever seen, a little over 4" long. The creek through my farm (spring fed) has plenty, but most are about 2" long. This monster darted out from a rock I was lifting, and almost took the dip net out of my hand. I let him go, he would have eaten the darters. A shame I didn't have a second tank, he was downright scary looking.

Hmmmm. No "globules" on spines of first dorsal fin. Not a Fantail????

Brian

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Not a male fantail. But a female for sure.