09/19/2026
You may only be here for the weekend, or you may be here for the month, but these little guys have all the experience. The candy darter (Etheostoma osburni) may only be 3 inches long, but he’s made a big impression on us at the park!
This little fish is endemic to the upper Kanawha River Basin, meaning it naturally occurs only in this region, and it’s no question why. They require clean, cold, fast-moving water, and are sensitive to changes in their habitat. Because they are so particular, these fish are considered an indicator species of watershed health, but that also means that they have been federally recognized as endangered.
If you love this fish as much as we do and want to find out how you can help, you can check out this article! https://www.nps.gov/gari/learn/nature/protecting-our-native-candy-darter.htm
Image Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/ T. Travis Brown
