EASTERN SAND DARTER

Eastern Sand Darter (Ammocrypta pellucida)

The Eastern Sand Darter is a bottom dwelling species found only where there are clean, stable substrates composed primarily of sand.

Perhaps the habitat of no other Ohio fish as been so widely destroyed. The sandy substrates required by this species were one of the first to disappear under layers of the silts and clays which Ohio's streams were forced to carry as floodplains and riparian forests were cleared for agriculture and development.

Sand Darters were formerly found inhabiting almost every major tributary in Ohio including the Ohio River and Lake Erie. They were recorded by Kirsch in 1898 as being common everywhere on sandy bottoms of the Maumee River and its tributaries, an area where none have been captured in over 50 years. While still statewide in their distribution, sand darter populations are now more restricted and isolated to those streams or stream segments where clean sand substrates still exist.

Sand darters bury themselves tail first in the sand, leaving only their eyes exposed, where they are able to dart out and snatch prey without being detected. Their bodies are almost entirely transparent which renders them undetectable to most predators.

This species has declined throughout its range and at one time was being considered for federal listing. At this time populations appear to have stabilized, however, and some improvements may be expected as non-point problems are addressed.