* Original Area: NANFE
* Original To  : All (1:366/47)
* Original Subj: Fishies
                The Orangethroat Darter as an
                   (Etheostoma spectabile)
                      Aquarium Species
                             By
                         Robert Rice
                              
     Most people are completely unaware that darters exist. Darters are those 
 small mystery fishes that one
occasionally sees literally darting around the edges of
streams. Unless you are unusually perceptive or aggressive
you have probably just not noticed them.
     All darters are in the perch family, and as a general
rule have no swim bladder and thus stay on the bottom
feeding and living out their lives. Darters display a
surprising range of color and body types and as general rule make a 
fascinating aquarium pet. They  display a degree of
sexual dimorphism with the males being the brighter and more aggressive of 
the sexes. Which makes them all the more
interesting!
     The main consideration is temperature requirements as
many species of darters must have cold water to thrive. The Orangethroat 
darter, in my experience, is the exception. I
have collected them in waters as high as 81 degrees F and
have kept them in community tanks with great success.
     There is a large genetic gradient range in the
Orangethroat darter in its size, color and tolerance  to
domestic life. So keep in mind your success will depend to a large degree on 
the stock you begin with. Therefore collect from a site similar to the 
aquarium in water quality and
tempature.
     The book "Fishes of Missouri pg. 320 " by Pflieger
describes the orange throat darter as follows.  "A
moderately stout darter (1.2 - 2.5 inches) with 6-10
indistinct dark cross bars on the back. Sides often
prominently streaked by dark horizontal bars......Its life
colors are as follows, back mottled yellowish-brown with in distinctive dark 
color cross bars. Sides lighter brown,
often with narrow blue green vertical bars best developed
towards the tail. Breeding males VERY brilliantly colored
sides with a series of blue green bars alternating with
brick red bars. Gill membranes bright orange (thus the name orange throat) 
with remainder of under surface of head blue green. The fins are variously 
banded and spotted by blue
green and red."
     With that generic description  I hope you can begin to imagine the 
beauty this little fish possesses. When you
combine his looks with his lack of shyness you can see why I place him first 
on my list of darters ! Often other darters cower and are hidden from the 
eye. The Orangethroat is out
for all to see , fighting for food and territory in a
fascinating way. Why more than once I've seen a Orangethroat rise to the top 
and steal a morsel of food from a fish 5
times his size!
      Now with the basic definitions out of the way I can
share with you how I treat my darters . When wild caught I
immediately place them in a tank with a few feeder guppies
by observation they quickly take eating frozen food of all
varieties . Mine seem to prefer blood worms but will take
most anything even flake food . Once I am confident they are eating properly 
and appear to be thriving.  I place them in their permanent homes, one of my 
large community tanks. Then comes the most fascinating part for me , the 
waiting to see which darters posses the right mix of temperament and color 
and tolerance to domestic life to make it to the brood stock category!
     When I have identified likely candidates I pull them
aside and "winter them over" in an area that holds a
temperature of 60 degrees or less over the winter. In my
case that is the laundry room of my walkout basement, for
others that might be your basement proper or your garage.
Then begin to observe because in no time ( 3-5 weeks) you
are going to see boldly colored males establish territories and court 
females. I put 2 trios in a 20 gallon tank with
some steady current and keep my eyes open. Sooner or later
the male will coax a female into his cave (either rocks or
small flower pots) and they will spawn, laying several
hundred eggs. These eggs will adhere to whatever they hit.
Here's the catch you must watch carefully your fish or they will eat their 
eggs ! As soon as I realize a spawn has
occurred parents and eggs are  separated.
     In 7- 10 days you will notice the fry appearing. . They are a very 
durable fry and generally easy to take care of.
They will grow fast if given proper food and care. Mine will often take live 
brine or infusoria early (6 x a day!) then
frozen baby brine (3-4x a day)  then finally blood worms (2x a day).
      I hope this brief article has created a future
interest in our Native fishes. If it has, I welcome your
questions or comments!  I also recommend these resources:"
Petersons Field Guide to North American Freshwater Fishes"
by Larry Page, or check into the fish club North American
Native Fish Association (NANFA) 2213 Prytania Circle , Navarre Florida 32566. 
You can also contact through e-mail Robert_Rice@Oblique.org
 Until next time good luck and good fishing!
--- Maximus/2 3.01
---------------