Habitat/Living Conditions
The Johnny Darter is one of the most common of
the darter species. The Johnny Darter is found in a
temperate climate in freshwater lakes, streams, and river biomes.
Johnny Darters are often
called part of the benthic biome.
This means that they are found near the bottom part of the
river, lake, or stream. Normally this is only about a half
of a meter deep. These streams and rivers can vary in size.
When they are found in larger lakes and reservoirs, they are
often found near the shores where they are in shallow water.
This can be near a rocky harbor break-wall or near a
beach. The substrate is usually sandy or rocky but can
also be found in silt or muddy conditions. This normally
occurs if the water is fast moving in the stream or river.
Otherwise they tend to stay near the rocky or sandy substrate
where the water is slow moving near the bottom of the stream.
This is also their preferred place to
spawn during spring.
A study on riffle dwelling darters compared to the Johnny
Darter, which migrates to pools, was done based on
temperatures. Johnny Darters tend to migrate to pools in the
substrate which have a higher temperature compared to riffle
dwelling darters that tend to pick areas that are cooler in all
seasons (Ingersol). They do tend
to reproduce around 12-24 degrees
Celsius.
"Darters prey on insects and crustaceans, and in turn are preyed on by species such as smallmouth bass and walleyes" (Shiels). This is what helps the darter occupy its certain niche. Water quality is known to be good when darters are present in the stream or river. This is because the ecosystem and habitat all work well together because darters are the "middle men" of the river. They connect the habitat by feeding on smaller insects yet, feeding the larger fish in the stream.