Identification
Breeding males show orange lower sides and turquoise around the lower head. Identification should consider location and body pattern as well as color; one photograph cannot show every life stage.
Habitat and Range
The species occupies the lower Alabama River drainage and the Cahaba system. Pools and riffles with rock or woody cover provide habitat.
A drainage-wide range description does not confirm presence in every tributary. The lake list below uses only linked records in our database.
Size, Feeding and Fishing Context
The reported adult length is roughly 1.4–2 inches, or 35–50 millimeters. A reliable typical weight and a species-specific bait recommendation were not established in the research checked.
This page does not substitute another darter’s measured diet for this species. Its small size makes careful observation and identification more useful here than a conventional sport-fishing tackle list.
Spawning
Spawning is reported in early spring through April or May, below 68°F (20°C). That observation should not be converted into a year-round preferred-temperature range.
Understanding the Length Measurements
The reported maximum of 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) is standard length, which excludes the tail fin. The adult range above uses a different published size account. These measurements should not be treated as directly equivalent.
A Small Stream Fish With Vivid Colors
Orange and turquoise make breeding males unusually conspicuous for their small size. Season and maturity matter when comparing images: the brightest adult male is not a model for every individual.
All Lakes With Alabama Darter
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Alabama Darter records in our database, listed alphabetically.
No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.