North America: Mississippi River basin from Ohio and West Virginia to eastern Illinois and south to Louisiana in the USA; Gulf drainages from Black Warrior River in Alabama to Guadalupe River in Texas, USA. Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions
Inhabit fast gravel runs, sometimes riffles, of creeks and small to medium rivers. Often found near brush (Ref. 5723, 10294). Young are found in shallower gravel riffles (Ref. 7043). Juveniles feed on midge and blackfly larvae; adults consume caddisfly and mayfly larvae (Ref. 10294). Males are larger and darker in color during breeding (Ref. 69400).
