The range of the Iowa darter extends from New York to Illinois and westward to Wyoming and Montana. In its namesake state, the Iowa darter reaches its greatest abundance in the natural lakes, where it is common.

The Iowa darter is a very slender, moderate-sized darter reaching about 2 1/2 inches in length. It is bright green in color with dark brown blotches and small red spots on the sides, belly fading to yellow or gold and white, dorsal fin rays 9 to 11, 7 anal rays, about 60 scales along the lateral line, which is incomplete. The cheeks, opercles and nape are scaled and the breast naked.

The Iowa darter inhabits clear, sluggishly vegetated streams and weedy portions of glacial lakes, marshes and ponds. Forest clearing and drainage practices have reduced its habitat and warmed the remaining waters enough to eliminate this species in the southern portions of its range. In the United States it is now common only in non-agricultural areas.

The Iowa darter feeds primarily on midge larvae, mayfly larvae and amphipods.

Spawning occurs in sandy areas or beneath stream banks in April and May. During the actual spawning act the male places its pelvic fins over the dorsal fin of the female and his caudal peduncle wraps around to meet hers. Only a few eggs are laid in each spawning sequence.

*Mayhew, J. (editor). 1987. Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa. 323 pp.