While in the creek this past weekend (that'd be crick locally), I was having a hard time with what I believe to be green side darters and johnny darters, both of which are quite common here. Unfortunately photos weren't possible as I didn't have a net really capable of catching them (they were all about an 1-1.5 inches long) and the creek was fairly vigorous. But even looking online it seems to difficult to spot differences between the two until they get larger or at least in the spring. Anyone have tips? I know the green darters feature that v or w shape marking but I've seen what are claimed to be johnny darters with basically the same markings, particularly when small.

Hey, you need a Perfect Dipnet!  http://jonahsaquariu...e/netdipnet.htm

As for distinguishing those two darters, at any age, there are several distinctive traits.  First, very young specimens of the Johnny will be MUCH more slender than young Greensides.  The body, especially toward the tail, will be very thin and slight in Johnny, and relatively much deeper and thicker in Greenside.  But again, really, the pigmentation will be diagnostic.  Johnnies have fine black markings as though drawn with a sharp, pointed pen tip.  Yes there are W-like markings on the Johnny.  The W's on a Greenside are thicker, so they look like they were drawn with a felt tip marker, wide marks.  Johnnies never have green pigment.  Not even slightly.  Greensides of any age have at least a slight, olive, greenish, or brownish tint.  Finally, the markings on the "face" are distinctive.  Johnnies basically have one distinct, dark line along the snout, toward the mouth.  Greensides have a few fine lines on the "face" curving downwards.  Come over to Ohio sometime and we'll take your kids and my kids out to the crick!

Yes I do need that, hahaha. Purchasing aquarium supplies and working towards setting it up and scouting our local creeks have been our first stop. Hoping to get the tank finished in the next week or so. A circk trip sounds like fun! Where are you in relation to Columbus?

I'm IN Columbus!

Mark

Nice! It's been a while but we do get out that way on occasion. I'll get in touch with you next time we head out that way.

Nice! It's been a while but we do get out that way on occasion. I'll get in touch with you next time we head out that way.

Sounds great!

Perhaps sometime you both can come up to Delaware. The Olentangy River is *great* for darter catching. I have banded, a fantail and rainbows in my tank. The river is crawling with darters.

Perhaps sometime you both can come up to Delaware. The Olentangy River is *great* for darter catching. I have banded, a fantail and rainbows in my tank. The river is crawling with darters.

Awesome!  Let me know when you want to get out.

Mark

Sounds good! Easy access to the river and must be a billion darters along with other fish. I suppose sometime in the spring once the water warms up again.