{i} perch, freshwater fish; web-footed bird; someone or something that moves swiftly
Any of about 100 species of small, slender freshwater fishes (family Percidae), native to eastern North America. Darters live near the bottom of clear streams, darting quickly about when disturbed or when feeding on small aquatic animals such as insects and worms. They have two dorsal fins and often are brightly coloured. Most species are 2-3 in. (5-7 cm) long, but some grow to 9 in. (23 cm). Some species lay their eggs and abandon them; the males of other species establish a nest and guard the eggs until hatched. See also snail darter
A small snail-eating darter (Percina tanasi) that formerly was found only in the Little Tennessee River. It was thought to have become extinct after construction of a dam, but later was discovered in several other Tennessee streams. Rare species (Percina tanasi) of darter that originally was found only in the Little Tennessee River in the southeastern U.S. It became the subject of a legal controversy in 1978, when its status as an endangered species delayed for two years the construction of Tellico Dam. The situation was resolved when the fish was successfully introduced into the Hiwassee River