About Percina nigrofasciata (Agassiz, 1854)
Nomenclature
Scientific name: Percina nigrofasciata (Agassiz, 1854). Common name: blackbanded darter.
Coloration and Camouflage
The coloration of the blackbanded darter is variable, and it often changes to match the color of its surrounding substrate for camouflage. Breeding males develop greenish blue coloration during the mating season.
Similar Species
This species can be easily confused with the dusky darter, Percina sciera.
General Distribution
Blackbanded darters live in many river systems across the United States. They are found in Gulf of Mexico drainages in the southeastern United States, specifically within the states of Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.
Range Extent
Their range extends from the Choctawhatchee River in Florida west to western Mississippi River tributaries in Louisiana.
Sympatric Species
The Halloween darter, Percina crypta, occurs in the same geographic area as the blackbanded darter throughout the Chattahoochee River.
Habitat Requirements
Blackbanded darters inhabit areas from headwaters to medium-sized rivers, over substrates made of gravel and sand. They tend to occupy an intermediate microhabitat that has more erosional substrata and a greater variety of water depths.
Diet
They are insectivores, feeding on mayflies, midges, blackflies, caddisflies, and any other prey items that are no larger than 5 mm (0.2 inches) long.
Predators
Their main predators are stonecats, largemouth bass, and other larger species of freshwater fish.
