The snail darter is a small species of freshwater ray-finned fish, a darter from the subfamily Etheostomatinae, part of the family Percidae, which also contains the perches, ruffes and pikeperches. It is found in East Tennessee freshwater in the United States.

Are darters endangered?

Numerous darter species are becoming rare, and several are listed as threatened or endangered in the Red Data Book. Most of these rare species, including the celebrated snail darter (Percina tanasi) of the Little Tennessee River in southeastern United States, are threatened because of loss of their natural habitats.

How many snail darters are there?

In 1975 the species was successfully transplanted to the Hiwassee River, where the population has risen to about 2,500 individuals.