Tessellated Darter (Etheostoma olmstedi)

The tessellated darter (Etheostoma olmstedi) is a hardy species of darter that inhabits a wide variety of habitats on the east coast from the St. Lawrence River south to the St. Johns River in Florida. Tessellated darters are truly a “jack of all trades” relative to other darters in the sense that they’re adaptable to such a wide variety of habitats throughout their native range. These darters can be found over sand, rock, or mud bottoms and from the headwaters of clear, flowing streams to still lakes, swampy drainages, and low-salinity portions of tidal estuaries. They are more tolerant of poor water quality relative to other darters and can withstand a wide range of water temperatures and parameters. 

In my opinion their adaptability makes tessellated darters a good starter species for novice darter keepers and multi-species tanks. It is important to keep in mind that while this species is quite hardy, that is relative to other species of darters, and that extremes in water parameters should be avoided. 

Origin: Currently available animals are field-collected and have been through a preventative quarantine and treatments as necessary. 

Care Level: Beginner-intermediate. 

Salinity (SG): 

Diet: Small aquatic invertebrates. Live and frozen foods are best in captivity. While it isn’t unheard of for these darters to take dry foods, those fish should be treated as exceptions and not the rule. 

Adult Size: Up to 4”.

pH: 7.0-8.0

Water Temps: 60-80F

Other Care Preferences: 

NEVER release your fish into the wild or stock public waterways without permission from a government agency!

*We are a licensed dealer and propagator of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and fish in the state of Pennsylvania. All of our native and game fish (including bullfrogs, northern green frogs, and their tadpoles) come from licensed dealers and propagators with proof of receipt (available upon request to government agencies only). We WILL NOT under ANY circumstance sell any herptiles or fish collected from the commonwealth of PA, so please do not ask!*

Live tessellated darters (Etheostoma olmstedi) for sale at MJS Reptiles. Live tropical and North American fish, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates for sale online and shipped right to your front door!