Percina vigil
(Hay 1882)
Family Percidae

Lateral view of saddleback darter
The photo above shows a breeding male, top, and a female, bottom, saddleback darter. These fish are now part of the Florida Museum ichthyology collection, UF 188270. Florida Museum photo by Zachary Randall

The saddleback darter is a member of the perch and darter family. It has an elongated body, a moderately pointed snout and a terminal mouth. The premaxillary frenum is very narrow or absent. Large males have an anal fin extending to almost the caudal fin. Saddleback darters can be found in sand and gravel runs of creeks and small to medium rivers.

Status & distribution

  • Status — Native freshwater
  • Florida Distribution — Western and North Central drainages
  • River Drainages — the Escambia River
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