BLACKSIDE DARTER

Photo by Konrad Schmidt
used by permission

Blackside Darter
Percina maculata

Federal Status:
None

State Status:
Threatened

• Range:
  Dark Blue = Counties with designated critical habitat
  Light Blue = Historical records
• Comments: The blackside darter has a very restricted and isolated population in Kansas making it vulnerable to extirpation. Man-made or natural events such as pollution spills or severe droughts pose threats. It inhabits shallow pools with gravel substrates in the clear waters of Mill Creek in Wabaunsee County. The blackside darter is not as restricted to the streambed as other small darters. As flows are reduced, it swims higher in the water column and even rises to the surface to capture food. Darters are members of the perch family which include the sauger and walleye.

Other Fish on the Kansas T&E List