Critical Habitat Designation for Candy Darter

Effective on May 7th, 2021, the endangered candy darter (Etheostoma osburni) received the designation of approximately 368 stream miles as critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The stream miles protected extend throughout Virginia and West Virginia.

Since 1932 nearly half the 35 known populations of candy darter, a freshwater fish native to the waters of Virginia and West Virginia, have disappeared. This stark population drop off can be attributed to habitat degradation and loss. As the candy darter numbers have dropped, other concerns have been raised as well. Biologists worry about the consequences of the candy darter now breeding with an introduced species, the variegate darter.

These factors and others, supported by widely collected data, led to the protection of the candy darter as an endangered species under the ESA in 2018. Now, with the additional designation of critical habitat in the two states where it is found, management and recovery efforts for the candy darter will be bolstered.

For more information and documentation regarding listing and critical habitat, please visit the links below:

• Final critical habitat rule
• Candy darter protected as endangered
• Candy darter proposed rule

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