Blueside Darter | Etheostoma jessiae

Status: IUCN: Least Concern

Threats: Agricultural practices, habitat fragmentation, impoundments, pollution, and sedimentation.

CFI Status: Propagated at CFI in 2014 to propagation protocols*. (What do these terms mean?)

Native Range: Elk River and Shoal Creek systems (Tennessee River drainage) s. TN and n. AL

Spawning Habitat Preferences: Early to mid-spring spawners in medium-sized creeks to medium-sized rivers with moderate flow; eggs are laid in the sand and gravel substrate.

Fun Fact: The Blueside Darter is a common species and one of the closest relatives to the endangered Bluemask Darter. Because of this, we have often used this species to gain a deeper understanding of the Bluemask without having to risk harming such a rare animal. From using them as surrogates to develop spawning protocols to testing tagging methods, the Blueside Darter has been a vital part of deepening our understanding of this group of darters.

In Partnership With: Tennessee Technological University; Tennessee Valley Authority; Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency; USFWS (Cookeville, TN)Tennessee Technological University; Tennessee Valley Authority; Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency; USFWS (Asheville & Cookeville)