Logperch

The Logperch is the most widespread member of the genus Percina and one of the largest darters regularly available to aquarists. Its body is marked with bold, vertical dark bars on a pale yellow-olive ground, and the distinctive blunt, overhanging snout is used to overturn small stones and gravel in search of hidden invertebrates.

In the aquarium the Logperch is an impressive display animal, moving purposefully across the substrate and showing genuine foraging behaviour. It requires cool, highly oxygenated water and does best in a river biotope with moderate to strong current.

Males are territorial with conspecifics and other darters, so provide ample space and visual barriers. Diet must be live or frozen invertebrates.

Water: 8–20°C, pH 7.0–8.2, GH 8–20; high oxygenation and moderate-to-strong current mandatory. Tank: minimum 150 L, coarse gravel and smooth stones, powerhead for current; open foraging areas. Feeding: carnivore — live/frozen bloodworm, earthworms, small prawns, daphnia; rarely accepts dry food. Breeding: spawns over gravel in spring; non-guarding; rarely achieved in home aquaria. Compatibility: semi-aggressive with other darters; can be kept with robust, similarly sized coolwater fish.