Percidae

Buffalo darter

Etheostoma bison

Breeding males develop hump

• Brown
• Temperate
• Northern Hemisphere
• Regional distribution
• Freshwater fish
• North America
• Elongated
• Small
• Temperate fish

The buffalo darter (Etheostoma bison) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is found in the tributaries of the lower Duck and lower Tennessee Rivers. It is distinguished from other darter species by the presence of eight anal rays, as well breeding males having a unique hump behind the head reminiscent of a buffalo.