Riverine Fish

Ohio is blessed with an abundance of water, but like all developing areas, past and present land use practices affect our water resources.

Land uses that allow soil to runoff into our waterways cause silting of streams and increased turbidity, which can result in a lower quality of water and thus a loss in the diversity of aquatic organisms.

Fish have specific habitat requirements, thus the health of a fish community can tell us a great deal about the quality of the waterway where they reside.

Riverine Fish of Ohio's Scenic Rivers

Orangethroat Darter (Etheostoma spectabile)

Orangethroat DarterA common associate and competitor with the rainbow darter, the orangethroat is found in small to medium sized streams in the western half of the state only.

It prefers much the same habitat as the rainbow darter, but is more tolerant of increased water turbidities and silted bottoms.

Individuals in non-breeding colors are frequently mistaken for rainbow darters. As with other members of this genus orange-throats feed on a variety of aquatic insect larvae.