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holiday darter (Etheostoma sp. cf. brevirostrum "a" and "b")

Status: Georgia listed threatened / Likely candidate for Federal listing

Description:
These fish were formerly believed to be holiday darters, but are now thought to be two undescribed, distinct species: one inhabiting only the Amicalola Creek system, and one inhabiting only the Etowah headwaters (until formerly described, they are still known as holiday darters).  Close relatives inhabit the Coosawattee, Conasauga, and the Choccolocco Creek systems.  Both are listed as threatened on Georgia's endangered species list. The holiday darter inhabits steep streams with fast water and gravel, rocks and boulders. Male holiday darters exhibit brilliant green, red and blue spawning colors throughout spring and early summer. They grow to two to two and a half inches in length.

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Distribution of Etheostoma sp. cf. brevirostrum "A" and "B" within the Etowah basin

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Complete known range of Etheostoma sp. cf. brevirostrum "A" and "B"

For more information on this species, see Description and Distribution of Species Covered by the Etowah Aquatic HCP, November 2006, Byron Freeman and Seth Wenger.