This darter has green and gray sides with 6 to 8 large oblong dark blotches. Snout is short and mouth is terminal. Gills form a narrow V-notch on throat. Maximum length is 3.5 inches. This species inhabits cool, clear, medium-sized streams where it occupies shallow pools having moderate current and bottoms of clean gravel. Spawns in gravel pools greater than one foot deep. This darter is found only in Mill Creek in Wabaunsee County.

Blackside Darters are protected by the Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act and administrative regulations applicable thereto. Any time an eligible project is proposed that will impact the species’ preferred habitats within its probable range, the project sponsor must contact the Ecological Services Section, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, Kansas 67124-8174. Department personnel can then advise the project sponsor on permit requirements.

As defined by Kansas Administrative Regulations, critical habitats include those areas documented as currently supporting self-sustaining population(s) of any threatened or endangered species of wildlife as well as those areas determined by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to be essential for the conservation of any threatened or endangered species of wildlife. Currently, the following areas are designated critical for Blackside Darters.

1. The main stem of Mill Creek in Wabaunsee County from I-70 (Sec. 27-T11S-R11E) upstream to Sec. 15-T12S-R10E.
2. The West Branch Mill Creek in Wabaunsee County from Sec. 15-T12S-R10E upstream to Sec. 31-T12S-R10E.
3. The South Branch of Mill Creek in Wabaunsee County from Sec 15-T12S-R10E upstream to K-99 (Sec 13-T13S-R10E)