Most darters live in clear, fast-moving streams that have gravelly bottoms. Others thrive in lakes and rivers. During the breeding season, male darters of many species develop brilliant colors. Male rainbow darters, which become blue, red, and yellow, are especially striking. Female darters lay eggs in spring or early summer.
Darters eat a variety of water insects and other fish.
The young feed on microscopic organisms called zooplankton. Johnny darter Several species of darters have become endangered because the fish are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment. Concern over the snail darter delayed completion of the Tellico Dam on the Little Tennessee River during the late 1970's. The dam, which was completed in 1980, destroyed what was then the only known habitat of the snail darter. But the species was later discovered in a few other Tennessee streams and is no longer considered endangered.