Fish

Greenside Darter

(Etheostoma blennioides)

Species Description

**Description:** A large, robust darter with an olive-green body and a blunt, "parrot-like" snout.

**Size:** 3 to 5 inches long.

**Identification:** Males turn electric green during the spring spawn.

**Behavior:** Highly sensitive to pollution. They use large pectoral fins to wedge themselves between stones in heavy currents.

**Habitat:** Found in the cleanest, clear rocky riffles of the Allegheny and Clarion River systems.

💡 Fun Facts

Male Greenside Darters turn a brilliant electric-green during the spring, earning the name "Parrots of the River."
They use their large, fan-like pectoral fins to "wedge" themselves between rocks in heavy currents.
They are highly sensitive to pollution and are only found in the cleanest river riffles.
Male Greenside Darters turn a brilliant electric green during the spring spawn, earning them the nickname "Parrots of the River."
They are river specialists, using their large pectoral fins to "wedge" themselves between rocks in heavy currents.
They are highly sensitive to silt and pollution; their presence is a guaranteed sign of a healthy, rocky river bed.