Crystal darter | Everglades tours

crystal-darter-everglades-tours.jpg

Credit: Conservation Fisheries Inc.

This species is listed as Vulnerable because its population size may have declined by more than 30 percent over the past 10 years,

based on declines in habitat extent and quality. If the decline has been less than 30 percent, listing as Near threatened may be

appropriate unless population size is fewer than 10,000. Population size is unknownbut may be fewer than 10,000. If population

size is fewer than 10,000, listing criteria would include C1. Area of occupancy is unknown but may be less than 2000 square km. The

species occurs in more than 10 locations. Distribution is probably not severely fragmented. This darter inhabits clear to slightly turbid

water of raceways and swift to moderately swift riffles of small to medium rivers with expanses of clean sand or gravel; it does not

associate with mud, clay, or submerged vegetation (Pflieger 1997, Ross 2001, Boschung and Mayden 2004). Usually, it occurs in

water more than 60 centimetres deep with strong current. Individuals often bury themselves in sand with only the eyes protruding,

or they may hide under rocks. In Arkansas, this species was collected typically at depths of 114-148 centimetres and velocities of

46-90 centimetres per second; predominantly on gravel, small cobble, and patches of sand (George et al. 1996).

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