Most species can not suspend themselves in the water since they have only a rudimentary swim bladder. Seventeen darter species and subspecies have been reported in Iowa waters, although the status of some is now questionable. Many of the darter species are brilliantly colored, especially during spawning. Others are nearly sand-colored and are difficult to distinguish from rocks on the stream bottom. Although many darters are found in comparatively swift streams, several species are known to prefer the quiet weed beds of lakes or the open bars of the larger interior rivers.
Darters usually inhabit fairly shallow water and are rather solitary individuals.
They are largely carnivorous, feeding upon aquatic insect larvae and other small organisms.