Distinctively colored and marked, each is unique in appearance, giving rise to such descriptive names as the banded darter, greenside darter, and rainbow darter. The eastern sand darter and tippecanoe darter are the smallest in Pennsylvania, and the logperch and greenside darter are the largest. Range and Habitat Darters are found throughout North America in the Mississippi River System and drainages of the Great Lakes, Hudson Bay, Atlantic, and Pacific Coasts. Although many species can be found throughout Pennsylvania, French Creek is one of the only locations where so many can be found together. Most darters require clean running water, which provides an abundant food supply of midges, mayflies, and additional insects.
Larger darters can eat snails, crayfish, and other small crustacea.
If the water becomes stagnant or polluted, food supplies are diminished and compromise the darters' ability to survive. Because of their sensitivity to pollution, darters serve as good indicators of water quality. The typical life expectancy for darters is about three to four years. Most reach sexual maturity at one year of age, although egg production increases with age. Mature females of some darter species can produce up to 1,000 eggs.