Diamond Darter
(Crystallaria cincotta)
The diamond darter was described as being a distinct species in 2008 by Stuart A. Welsh and Robert M. Wood. Diamond darters were previously considered to be the same species as the crystal darter, Crystallaria asprella.
Description
The diamond darter has an over all translucent body with silvery sides and a white belly. They are a light yellow-tan on their back with four wide dark olive-brown saddles over their back. These saddles come half way down the sides with a forward slanting angle to them. The diamond darter has 12-14 oblong dashes forming a lateral stripe along their sides. They also have a dark blotch on their snout clearly separated from the eye. The tail fin is forked and they have distinctly falcate pelvic fins. This species is a very long and slender fish.
Habitat and Habits
Only two diamond darters have ever been found in Ohio. The first of these was found in the Muskingum River near Beverly in 1888. The second individual was collected in the Ohio River near Ironton in 1899. The only population of this species currently known to exist is found in the Elk River of West Virginia. This species is found in large rivers with very clear water and extensive sand and gravel bars free of mud and silt. They bury themselves in the sand leaving only their eyes protruding to watch for food and or predators. Before the construction of the lock and dam system on the Ohio River there was probably large amounts of suitable habitat for this species in that river.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
Little is known about the life history of this species including when and where it reproduces.