Etheostoma edwini
(Hubbs and Cannon 1935)
Family Percidae

Later view of brown darters
The photo above shows a breeding male, top, and a non-breeding male, bottom, brown darter. These fish are now part of the Florida Museum ichthyology collection. Top: UF 187792 Bottom: UF 187746 Florida Museum photo by Zachary Randall

The brown darter is a member of the perch and darter family. It has a slender body with a short snout and terminal mouth. The body is overall mottled brown with bright red spots on either side and on the dorsal, caudal and anal fins. There are black spots on the lower half of the head. The lateral line is cream-yellow, incomplete and may be arched near the front. Brown darters live among vegetation in sandy runs and pools of creeks and small to medium rivers.

Status & distribution

  • Status — Native freshwater
  • Florida Distribution — Western and North Central drainages
  • River Drainages — Perdido River, Escambia River, Blackwater River, Yellow River, Choctawhatchee River, Econfina Creek, Apalachicola River, Ochlockonee River, minor Gulf tributaries and the Suwannee River
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Similar Species

Swamp Darter

Okaloosa Darter