VARIEGATE DARTER

Vargiegate Darter (Etheostoma variatum)

This species is restricted to streams of the Ohio River drainage in Ohio.

A riffle species, variegates are typically found on riffles having a swift current and substrates composed of large cobbles and small boulders.

They are most abundant in the larger streams which are still relatively unaffected from pollution, acid mine drainage, and siltation.

Breeding males are one of the most colorful of all the stream fish to be found in Ohio.