The Orangethroat Darter as
an (Etheostoma spectabile) Aquarium
Species
Robert Rice
Most people are completely unaware that darters exist.
Darters are thosesmall mystery fishes that one occasionally sees literally
darting around theedges of streams. Unless you are unusually perceptive or
aggressive you haveprobably just not noticed them.
All darters are in the
perch family, and as a general rule have no swimbladder and thus stay on the
bottom feeding and living out theirlives. Darters display a surprising range of
color and body types and asgeneral rule make a fascinating aquarium pet. They
display a degree of sexualdimorphism with the males being the brighter and more
aggressive of thesexes. Which makes them all the more interesting!
The
main consideration is temperature requirements as many species ofdarters must
have cold water to thrive. The Orangethroat darter, in myexperience, is the
exception. I have collected them in waters as high as 81degrees F and have kept
them in community tanks with great success.
There is a large genetic
gradient range in the Orangethroat darter in itssize, color and tolerance to
domestic life. So keep in mind your success willdepend to a large degree on the
stock you begin with. Therefore collect froma site similar to the aquarium in
water quality and tempature.
The book Fishes of Missouri pg. 320
by Pflieger describes theorange throat darter as follows. "A moderately stout
darter (1.2 - 2.5inches) with 6-10 indistinct dark cross bars on the back. Sides
oftenprominently streaked by dark horizontal bars......Its life colors are
asfollows, back mottled yellowish-brown with in distinctive dark color
crossbars. Sides lighter brown, often with narrow blue green vertical bars
bestdeveloped towards the tail. Breeding males VERY brilliantly colored
sideswith a series of blue green bars alternating with brick red bars.
Gillmembranes bright orange (thus the name orange throat) with remainder of
undersurface of head blue green. The fins are variously banded and spotted by
bluegreen and red."
With that generic description I hope you can begin to
imagine the beautythis little fish possesses. When you combine his looks with
his lack ofshyness you can see why I place him first on my list of darters !
Often otherdarters cower and are hidden from the eye. The Orangethroat is out
for all tosee , fighting for food and territory in a fascinating way. Why more
thanonce I've seen a Orangethroat rise to the top and steal a morsel of food
froma fish 5 times his size!
Now with the basic definitions out of the
way I can share with you how Itreat my darters . When wild caught I immediately
place them in a tank with afew feeder guppies by observation they quickly take
eating frozen food of allvarieties . Mine seem to prefer blood worms but will
take most anything evenflake food . Once I am confident they are eating properly
and appear to bethriving. I place them in their permanent homes, one of my large
communitytanks. Then comes the most fascinating part for me , the waiting to see
whichdarters posses the right mix of temperament and color and tolerance
todomestic life to make it to the brood stock category!
When I have
identified likely candidates I pull them aside and "winterthem over" in an area
that holds a temperature of 60 degrees or less over thewinter. In my case that
is the laundry room of my walkout basement, forothers that might be your
basement proper or your garage. Then begin toobserve because in no time ( 3-5
weeks) you are going to see boldly coloredmales establish territories and court
females. I put 2 trios in a 20 gallontank with some steady current and keep my
eyes open. Sooner or later the malewill coax a female into his cave (either
rocks or small flower pots) and theywill spawn, laying several hundred eggs.
These eggs will adhere to whateverthey hit. Here's the catch you must watch
carefully your fish or they willeat their eggs ! As soon as I realize a spawn
has occurred parents and eggs are separated.
In 7- 10 days you will
notice the fry appearing. . They are a very durablefry and generally easy to
take care of. They will grow fast if given properfood and care. Mine will often
take live brine or infusoria early (6 x aday!) then frozen baby brine (3-4x a
day) then finally blood worms (2x aday).
I hope this brief article has
created a future interest in our Nativefishes. If it has, I welcome your
questions or comments! I also recommendthese resources:" Petersons Field Guide
to North American Freshwater Fishes"by Larry Page, or check into the fish club
North American Native FishAssociation (NANFA) 2213 Prytania Circle , Navarre
Florida 32566. You canalso contact through e-mail Robert_Rice at Oblique_org Until
next time good luckand good fishing!