Barrens Darter Fish Proposed for Protection After 31-Year Wait

[{"selector":"#anim-d5e0a022-c889-48cb-b7dd-7839430d3dae","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a7a33e59-41f8-40f7-a31c-58908c53dbc7","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.55696%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":500,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-48a2414d-acd8-43e7-a18e-74a86a011a85","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":800,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e43412ef-9353-4c17-ada2-74cef5733ef5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-122.3301%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":800,"duration":500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Barrens Darter Fish Proposed for Protection After 31-Year Wait Rahul Somvanshi

Tennessee's Barrens darter fish faces extinction with only 5 populations remaining in less than 6 miles of streams.

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After 31 years as a candidate for protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finally proposed the Barrens darter for endangered species status.

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This unique fish produces "knocks, drums, and purrs" to court females and defends nests under flat rocks - behaviors rarely seen in such small aquatic species.

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Already, 2 of the 7 known populations have completely disappeared, leaving the remaining groups isolated and vulnerable.

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Why is this tiny fish in trouble? Hybridization with invasive fringed darters is diluting their genetic distinctiveness while agricultural practices are destroying their habitat.

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Male Barrens darters clean and guard eggs until they hatch - a remarkable level of parental care for a fish with just a three-year lifespan.

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A successful lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity forced the USFWS to reconsider its 2019 denial of protection for these rare fish.

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Water-intensive farming and frequent droughts have reduced stream flows, particularly damaging for a species that only lives in small headwater streams.

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Citizens have until September 2, 2025 to submit comments on the proposal to list the Barrens darter as endangered.

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Protecting Tennessee's rich biodiversity will ensure streams are protected so people, plants and animals can have the fresh water we all need to thrive.

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