Johnny Darter (Etheostoma nigrum) 

This is probably the most common and widespread of the darters in Ohio.

It inhabits streams and rivers of all sizes where it is found in pools and other slack water habitats on sand and gravel substrates.

It is not as sensitive as other species of darters to increased water turbidities and will tolerate some siltation of its habitats.

Identified by the series of black "w"'s along its sides, Johnny darters are not as colorful as most of the other darter species found in Ohio.