Etheostoma proeliare
(Hay 1881)
Family Percidae
![Lateral view of cypress darters](https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/66/2020/02/Plate-174-scaled.jpg)
The cypress darter is a member of the perch and darter family. It has very shallow pores and a strongly arched lateral line. This species has a slender, yellow-brown body. There are black or brown dashes along the midside of the body and rows of black spots and “Xs” on the lower side. There is also a black spot at the caudal fin base, and large males have black anal and pelvic fins and a large lateral flap on the pelvic fin; short snout and terminal mouth. Cypress darters can be found in vegetated backwaters and pools of creeks and small rivers.
Status & distribution
- Status — Native freshwater
- Florida Distribution — Western and North Central drainages
- River Drainages — Escambia River and the Choctawhatchee River