North American Banded Darter

The Banded Darter inhabits clean, fast-flowing gravelly streams of the Ozark Plateau and surrounding areas in the central United States. Males in breeding condition display vivid green-turquoise and rusty-red alternating bands, with iridescent blue-green cheek patches.

Like the Rainbow Darter it requires cool, oxygen-rich, flowing water and a substrate of smooth gravel and stones. A powerhead directing flow across a wide, shallow, stone-covered bottom replicates its riffle habitat.

The Banded Darter is carnivorous and must receive live or frozen invertebrate foods. It will defend a small territory from other male darters but is not aggressive toward dissimilar fish.

Water: 10–20°C, pH 7.0–8.2, GH 8–20; high oxygenation and moderate-to-strong current essential. Tank: minimum 80 L, wide shallow footprint, smooth gravel, powerhead for flow. Feeding: carnivore — live/frozen bloodworm, daphnia, brine shrimp, small invertebrates. Breeding: spawns over gravel riffles in spring; males guard territory; rarely bred in aquaria. Compatibility: semi-aggressive with male conspecifics; peaceful with dissimilar coolwater species.