Habitat
Habitat includes clear montane creeks and small rivers of moderate to steep gradient. Thompson (in Lee et al. 1980) reported that adults are most often taken from deep, swiftly flowing runs and rapids near boulders, whereas juveniles and young occur in shallower, quieter waters, sometimes pools. In Virginia, juveniles and adults usually are in pools and slow runs of gravel, rubble, boulder, and bedrock, and occasionally occupy swifter, shallower sections; they often move near the bottom in open water and may perch on large boulders and logs in pools (Jenkins and Burkhead 1994). In Tennessee, this species inhabits deeper riffles and runs with boulders, large rubble, and bedrock substrates, in clearer portions of headwater tributaries, moving to deeper pools for winter; juveniles often occur in pools with silty sand substrates (Etnier and Starnes 1993). In Tennessee, Howell (1971) reported that large males often occupy riffles in summer and fall. In the Little River, Tennessee, Greenberg (1991) found this species in relatively deep water in riffles, runs, and most frequently pools, often over silty substrates but typically feeding on rocks substrate. In Virginia, spawning darters were in shallows of moderate to swift current, with substrates of sand or intermixed sand and gravel (Jenkins and Burkhead 1994). Spawning also may occur in gravel riffles (Tennessee, Howell 1971) or shallow rubble and gravel areas (Kuehne and Barbour 1983).
Reproduction
Spawns May to June or July (Page 1983, Page 1983). Very small young have been taken in early July (Lee et al. 1980). Age range of breeding females is 2-4 years (Bart and Page 1992). Life span is a little more than 4 years (Howell 1971).