Gilt Darter (Percina evides)

Status: State Threatened (1979).

Occurrence: The Mississippi River drainage basin. At the northern limit of its range in the lower Black River, the upper Chippewa River, and the St. Croix-Namekagon system. A map outlining Pre-1977 and 1997 to Present Distribution is available.

Characteristics: Stout-bodied darter with unique bright reds and blues on body and five to eight dark saddles directly above the lateral blotches. Back olive blue. Adult length: 2.6 inches (66 mm).

Habitat: Prefer the moderate to fast, deep riffles and pools of clear, medium- to large-sized streams with clean, silt-free bottoms of gravel, rubble and small boulders. The larger, more colorful males occupy the deeper water with rubble and boulder bottoms, while females and smaller males tend to occur in adjacent habitats.

Food Habits: Eats caddisfly larvae, diptera larvae and mayfly nymphs.

Natural History: During spawning in mid-June, males are territorial and die shortly thereafter.

Management Considerations: The gilt darter's habitat in Wisconsin is limited by impoundments which convert suitable waters to slow-moving, silt-prone areas.

Information compiled from publication ER-091.