Identification and Range
This darter was formally described as Etheostoma clinton in 2012. It occurs in the upper Caddo and upper Ouachita systems above the fall line. Older identifications within the broader darter group may not distinguish it from the related species recognized in that study.
Size and Weight
The published size summary gives 3.5 cm standard length for males or unsexed specimens and 3.4 cm for females. Standard length excludes the tail fin, so these figures are not full nose-to-tail measurements. A reliable maximum weight was not found.
Habitat and Feeding Knowledge
Recent field research associates Beaded Darters with pool margins and slow or nearly still water during summer. Seasonal movement into shallow riffles and gravel runs is described for their group. Their precise diet remains insufficiently studied; feeding habits of other darters do not establish this species’ menu.
Observation and Conservation
The fish’s small size and use of quiet margins make careful habitat surveys more informative than ordinary angling. Pools, nearby flowing shallows and the connections between them all deserve attention. No tested recreational bait or lure method is established here.
A Living String of Beads
A dusky band passes through the turquoise blotches along a breeding male’s side. That connected pattern inspired the common name. The effect comes from coloration, not a row of raised beads growing on the body.
All Lakes With Beaded Darter
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Beaded Darter records in our database, listed alphabetically.
No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.