Identification and Range
Breeding males can show an almost black body with red fins and spotting. This profile covers Nothonotus sanguifluus; the Caney Fork Darter is a separately described species. Older broad distribution accounts need that distinction before their records are applied to a particular stream.
Size and Weight
The reported maximum total length is 9 cm, approximately 3.5 inches. A dependable maximum body weight was not established. Its small size should not be used to calculate a record weight from a general darter equation.
Habitat and Reproduction
Rocky substrates and flowing water characterize its stream habitat. Spring spawning involves placing eggs in crevices of larger stones. Captive propagation work with Bloodfin Darter helped researchers develop techniques for the rarer Boulder Darter, a related species with similar breeding requirements.
Natural Food and Fishing Context
A detailed species-specific wild diet breakdown was not verified for this profile, so no particular insect or fishing bait is presented as its preferred food. Its principal relevance here is as a small native stream fish. Underwater observation offers a view of behavior that a still identification photograph cannot capture.
A Color Change Before Your Eyes
Biologists working with this species observed mature males lose their dark, red-accented appearance in just over a second when uncovered during surveys. Such rapid change explains why a briefly glimpsed fish may look very different from a breeding portrait.
All Lakes With Bloodfin Darter
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Bloodfin Darter records in our database, listed alphabetically.
No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.