Slackwater darter: Difference between revisions

The slackwater darter uses two different, but adjacent, breeding and nonbreeding habitats. Its nonbreeding habitat is small to moderately large streams with a moderate to slow currents. The species seems to prefer bottom conditions characterized by an accumulation of leaves and detritus, but in some areas, it has been found in association with clean silt, sand, and small gravel substrates. Breeding habitat is seepage water in open fields or woods. The water in the breeding area, about {{convert|4|to|8|cm|in}} deep, flows slowly into an adjacent stream (the nonbreeding habitat). Since the breeding habitat is usually {{convert|30|to|45|cm|in}} above the stream, the stream water must periodically rise (as it does during heavy rains) to give darters access to the breeding grounds.<ref name=usfws1984/>