Etheostoma stigmaeum
(Jordan 1877)
Family Percidae
The speckled darter is a member of the perch and minnow family. It has a row of dark brown squares along the side of the body just below the lateral line and no premaxillary frenum. The body is light brown on the back and side with between six and seven small and dark brown saddles. Large males have bright blue bars on the side of the head and body, and they have bright red-orange and blue bands on the first dorsal fin. Speckled darters can be found in sandy and gravelly pools of creeks and small to medium rivers.
Status & distribution
- Status — Native freshwater
- Florida Distribution — Western and North Central drainages
- River Drainages — Perdido River, Escambia River, Blackwater River and the Yellow River