VU

Golden Darter

Etheostoma denoncourti

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Etheostoma denoncourti faces severe habitat degradation from agricultural runoff and urban development throughout its limited range in Tennessee River tributaries. Dam construction and water diversions have altered natural flow regimes essential for spawning, while sedimentation from land-use changes has degraded the clean gravel substrates this darter requires for reproduction. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering seasonal flow patterns and increasing water temperatures beyond the species' thermal tolerance.

Threat summary

Habitat

This darter inhabits clear, fast-flowing streams and small rivers with rocky or gravel substrates in the Tennessee River drainage system. It requires well-oxygenated waters with minimal siltation and prefers areas with riffles and runs where it can forage among the substrate for aquatic invertebrates.

FRESHWATER· major

Conservation measures underway

Resource & habitat protectionHabitat & natural process restoration

Other threatened species in PERCIDAE

Zingel asperEN

Zingel asper

Declining
CR

Vardar Streber

Zingel balcanicus

Unknown
Vermilion DarterCR

Vermilion Darter

Etheostoma chermocki

Declining
Diamond DarterCR

Diamond Darter

Crystallaria cincotta

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Threatened in United States

VU

Lepiota echinella

Unknown
VU

Paddlefish

Polyodon spathula

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VU

Copper Shark

Carcharhinus brachyurus

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EN

Lyophyllum deliberatum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Golden Darter classified as Vulnerable?
Golden Darter is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Etheostoma denoncourti faces severe habitat degradation from agricultural runoff and urban development throughout its limited range in Tennessee River tributaries. Dam construction and water diversions have altered natural flow regimes essential for spawning, while sedimentation from land-use changes has degraded the clean gravel substrates this darter requires for reproduction. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering seasonal flow patterns and increasing water temperatures beyond the species' thermal tolerance.
Where does Golden Darter live?
Golden Darter occurs in United States. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Golden Darter?
The main threats to Golden Darter are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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