Canadian gravel chubs look exactly like the Wisconsin gravel chub because it is the same species. They are found in only one river in Canada but are hard to collect so it is possible they could be in more streams. The gravel chub prefers streams with permanent flow, clean water, and bottoms free of clay and mud. The rainbow darter is commonly found in central Wisconsin and prefers clear, shallow water. Rainbow darters are found in streambeds made up of sand, boulders, or gravel.
Streams are generally twelve to twenty-four meters wide.
They can also live in streams as small as three meters to as large as one hundred meters wide. Adult males remain in fast flowing, large, rocky riffles during the winter and after the reproductive period. Adult females like the same habitat as males in the winter. However, before and after the spawning periods, females and young are found in raceways and pools. The young will also stay in the raceways and pools during the winter.