The blenny darter (Etheostoma blennius) is a 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 a poorly known species which occurs in Alabama and Tennessee where it inhabits swift riffles. Description The blenny darter is a moderately-sized but rather robust darter. It has 4 dark saddle like blotches across its back, the anterior blotch being the mist distinct and these blotches becoming progressively more indistinct towards the caudal fin. The upper flanks are frequently marked with spots which are occasionally arranged in vertical bars. There is also a series of small partially fused blotches along the lateral line between the second and fourth saddle blotches. The lower flank is irregularly spotted and the belly is pale. The upper gill cover is dark and contrasts with the pale lower part and cheek. Males have some markings on the breast but females are plain. Males also have a dark margin to the spiny part of the dorsal fin which is not always present in females. The spines in the dorsal fins of female are alternately dark and uncolored whereas all the spines in the males dorsal fin are colorless, the membrane in the dorsal fin being clear in females and spotted in males. The cheek, gill cover and breast are scaleless while the belly and nape are scaled. When spawning the males darken, to almost black, on the head and the fins become more intensely colored. The maximum published total length is , although around is more common. Distribution The blenny darter is native to the southeastern United States and is found in Alabama and Tennessee, in small to large tributaries of the Tennessee River drainage, more specifically the Buffalo, Duck, and Sequatchie Rivers, and White Oak Creek, Tennessee. The species has a more-limited distribution in Alabama and is restricted to Tennessee River tributaries within the Tennessee Valley of the Highland Rim. Habitat and biology The blenny darter's habitat is gravel and rubble riffles in creeks and small to medium rivers which have clear water. They appear to be nocturnal and collecting at night in suitable habitat has obtained many specimens. It most likely uses the riffles to spawn in too. They live for a maximum of two to three years and are sexually mature at one year. It is reproductively active throughout March