Etheostoma brevispinum
| Family | Scientific Name | Author | Year | Common Name |
| Percidae | Etheostoma brevispinum | (Coker) | 1926 | Carolina Fantail Darter |
Unique Characteristics: Belly and interpelvic area lacking modified scales. Lateral line normal, not arched upward. Height of spinous dorsal fin much shorter than second dorsal fin. Seven or less dark distinct, transverse bars on upper side; two or more transverse bars wedged-shaped and usually extending 1 or 2 scales below lateral line in large nuptial males. No dark stripes on side. Breeding male is golden tan. Slightly blunt snout. Yellow to golden knobs on first dorsal fin of breeding male. Restricted to the Broad, Catawba, and upper Yadkin (downstream to the Davidson-Rowan line) basins.
Similar Species:
Fantail Darter Etheostoma flabellare. Belly and interpelvic area lacking modified scales. Lateral line normal, not arched upward. Dark bars, if present on side, are rectangular shaped. Breeding male is bright yellow. Pointed snout. Yellow to golden knobs on first dorsal fin of breeding male.
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