Watercress Darter

(endangered species)

© Patrick O'Neil

        The Watercress Darter is restricted to three springs of the Black Warrior River system; it is found nowhere else in the world.  A typical locality for the Watercress Darter is Roebuck Springs, at the headwaters of Village Creek.  They can also be found near Bessemer in the Valley Creek watershed.  Recently the Watercress Darter was introduced into Turkey Creek, experts have discovered that this darter is surviving in the Turkey Creek watershed.

        Adult Watercress Darters only reach sizes of 1 to 1.8 inches.  Individuals of this species are found in slow headwater streams, at shallow to moderate depths, in dense accumulations of aquatic vegetation, including watercress.  These endangered darters eat the dense populations of aquatic insect larvae and microcrustaceans that live in these waters.  Both the spiny and soft dorsal fins have four distinct color bands, from outside to inside: blue, reddish orange, blue and red.  The Watercress Darter is listed as and endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Toxic water flowing off of the urban roads and golf course continue to threaten Jefferson County's Watercress Darter. 

© David Whiteside 2002

© Dr. Mike Howell

BLACK WARRIOR Riverkeeper®