Percidae

blackside darter

Percina maculata

Percid Fish Reaching Eleven Centimeters

• Black
• Temperate
• Northern Hemisphere
• Regional distribution
• Freshwater fish
• North America
• Small
• Temperate fish

Percina maculata, the blackside darter, 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 a widespread inhabitant of streams and rivers in the Mississippi River watershed. Like other darters it prefers rocky riffles and sandy runs, but is tolerant of pools and still water as well.