Description
Banded Darter – Etheostoma zonale – to 3″ (7.62 cm)
The native range of this species in the wild is primarily the eastern half of the United States. There, they are most often found in fast-moving waters of rivers and streams. We often find them in association with aquatic vegetation.
In the aquarium, they make very inquisitive inhabitants, coming to recognize their keeper and “begging” for food when the keeper is around!
Great community fishes, they are not aggressive. They can be kept in groups ranging from all males to all females, and any combination in between! They can also be kept peacefully with just about any other fish in the aquarium, including other darters, small catfish, minnows and many, many tropical aquarium fishes!
Care Requirements:
Temperature Tolerance Range: 32-80°F (0-26.7°C.)
Preferred Temperature Range: 72-76°F (22.2-24.4°C) (room temperature water.)
Water Hardness: Medium to Hard.
Type of Tank Setup: Freshwater (cold) or Freshwater (tropical) / Species or Community.
Food: Live or Frozen, and occasionally flake.
Swimming Level: Bottom.
Parasite Pre-Treated?: All wild-collected fish have been parasite pre-treated for internal and external parasites.
Special Requirements: Banded Darters need good water circulation / aeration. Also note that these fish feed off the bottom and may feed slowly, so be sure that sufficient food gets to the bottom of the tank.
Notes: Banded Darters are very inquisitive fish; they like to come to the front of the tank when you walk by! Also, they like to perch on objects like rocks or logs, and love aquatic vegetation (they are green, after all!)
