The prey is inhaled so rapidly it can be hard to see happen. Upon finding a prospective meal, the darter sneaks up as closely as possible, often turning or lowering its head slightly, establishes a visual lock on its target, arches its back, and pounces. The fish will slowly and carefully prowl the streambed, searching out insects in the substrate, rocks, and other objects. Their eyes are also very capable of moving so as to be better able to focus on objects. Increasing a darter’s hunting prowess is the curious ability to move their heads almost as if they had necks. If these wee beasties can get their mouths on something, they will try to eat it. Hungry Christmas Darters stealthily prowl their swiftly moving waters, stalking the various life stages of aquatic insects that are their primary foods. hopkinsi have fairly large metabolisms and appetites to match. The streamlined shape and small size allow it to dart from place to place, achieving maximum movement for minimum effort. Reaching a maximum length of approximately 2½ inches, this tubular, benthic mini-predator is well designed for the quick flowing, rocky, and riffly streams it calls home. Females wear varying, washed-out looking degrees of the male coloration. Males of the species are much more colorful. Pelvic fins serve to prop it up on the stream bottom. Christmas Darters use these out-sized pectoral fins to propel themselves through the water, and often employ those same fins to brace the fish against rocks for extra support against the current. Large, fan-shaped pectoral fins may or may not have spots on them similar to those of the second dorsal fin. The second dorsal fin is dull in comparison, the only coloration being brown dashes on the fin rays. The base of the first dorsal fin carries a pretty bluegreen hue, which is bordered half way up by a brick red stripe. hopkinsi’s appearance include its two dorsal fins. Decked out in alternating green and reddish stripes, this is one little fish that appears to have the Christmas spirit all year long. Meet Etheostoma hopkinsi, the Christmas Darter. Also, Christmas Darters tend to live above the Fall Line, while Savannah Darters live below it. Savannah Darters have a horizontal, brick-red stripe along the top edge of the first dorsal fin. Christmas Darters have a horizontal, brick-red stripe across the middle of the first dorsal fin. The first dorsal fin is a useful diagnostic. Christmas Darters can be confused with Savannah Darters, Etheostoma fricksium. Taxonomy: A member of the Percidae family, the Christmas Darter is a close relative of other darters, Yellow Perch, Walleye, and Sauger. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life. While the author respects Bailey and Richard’s work, and appreciates their decision to give the two subspecies names that honor their original moniker, he finds no widespread use of the Christmas Eve Darter identity, and herewith respectfully uses “Christmas Darter” and “ Etheostoma hopkinsi” inclusive of both groups.Ĭhristmas Darter distribution in North America. The former was renamed Christmas Eve Darter, and the latter retained the Christmas Darter name. hopkinsi of the Altamaha and Ogeechee River drainages. binotatum of the Savannah River drainage, and E. In 1963 Bailey and Richards further identified two subspecies: E. Scientific Name: Etheostoma hopkinsi (Fowler, 1945). (Originally published in American Currents Winter 2014 by Matt Knepley) Stevens Creek tributary (Edgefield County, SC) Gulf Coast Pygmy Sunfish, Elassoma gilbertiįish in Focus: Christmas Darter, Etheostoma hopkinsi Orangethroat Darter, Etheostoma spectabileĮverglades Pygmy Sunfish, Elassoma evergladei Southern Redbelly Dace, Chrosomus erythrogasterĬomanche Springs Pupfish, Cyprinodon elegansĬentral Longear Sunfish, Lepomis megalotis The North American Native Fishes Association Fish in
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