The Endangered Eastern Sand Darter
French Creek is home to 87 fish species, including the Pa. Endangered eastern sand darter, Ammocrypta pellucida, and 14 other darter species. Darters are a group of small fish in the perch family that spend most of their time on the sream bottom and need good water quality. Its species name, "pellucida," refers to its nearly see-through body which is almost as clear as glass.
The eastern sand darter will frequently bury itself in the sandy bottom, leaving only its eyes exposed. This behavior helps the fish to hide from predators, to maintain its position in a fast-flowing stream section, and to ambush prey. Aquatic insects make up the bulk of the eastern sand darter's diet. It is especially sensitive to erosion that washes silt into streams and subsequently covers up clean, sandy stream beds.
WPC's efforts to promote best management practices in the French Creek watershed and elsewhere focuses on the issue of protecting habitat for mussels and fish. More...
Today's
photo of a French Creek eastern sand darter was provided by Rob Criswell.
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