Vermilion darter

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The Vermilion darter (Etheostoma chermocki) is a severely endangered species of fish native to Turkey Creek in Jefferson County. Its habitat is direly threatened by development, especially construction runoff. The 2.6 inch long brightly-colored fish spawns from mid-spring to mid-summer and inhabits mainly swift gravel-bottomed chutes with pondweed and watercress stands.

In 2010 the U. S. Fish and Wildlife service designated 13 additional miles of Turkey Creek as "critical habitat" for the Vermilion darter.

References

  • Boschung Jr, Herber T. and Richard L. Mayden. (2004) Fishes of Alabama. Washington D.C.: Smithsonian Press
  • Spencer, Thomas (December 7, 2010) "Habitat for endangered vermilion darter expanded in Jefferson County's Turkey Creek." Birmingham News