Identification
Breeding males have an orange face, blue cheek patches and roughly square blue marks along the lower sides. The soft dorsal and anal fins lack blue pigment. These details separate the pattern from a general description of a brightly colored darter.
Size and Weight
The reported maxima are 4.9 cm standard length for males and 4.7 cm for females. Both round to about 1.9 inches, although the original measurements differ. Standard length excludes the tail fin. No dependable maximum individual weight was verified.
Range and Naming
This Green River drainage species was formally separated during a review of the Speckled Darter group. Its scientific name honors Jimmy Carter. Older records using the broader group name require care when assigned to this species.
Observation
A species-specific diet breakdown and bait recommendation were not verified. Color photographs are most useful when the locality and breeding condition are known.
More Than a Blue Fish
The placement of the colors matters: blue occurs on the cheek and sides while orange marks several fins. A close look at the full pattern is more informative than the common name alone.
All Lakes With Bluegrass Darter
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Bluegrass Darter records in our database, listed alphabetically.
No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.