Range and Identity
Etheostoma virgatum has been reported from the lower Cumberland, upper Caney Fork, Rockcastle and nearby streams. These are specific parts of Kentucky and Tennessee. The Red River reference in this context belongs to the Cumberland system, not the distant Texas and Oklahoma river.
Habitat and Behavior
The species uses rocky pools in headwaters, creeks and small to medium rivers. Pool habitat should remain explicit rather than being replaced by a generic fast-riffle description. Different darters within the same drainage can use different channel positions.
Food and Life History
The compiled upper length is 7.8 centimeters total length, with 4.8 centimeters as a common reference. Eggs occur in clusters on the underside of stones and are guarded by males. A verified independent maximum mass is not established in the checked account.
Field Note
Keep the full drainage name with photographs and nesting observations. Repeated river names across states make an abbreviated locality particularly easy to misunderstand.
All Lakes With Striped Darter
Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Striped Darter records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.
No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.