The Blackside darter tends to have darker colors, primarily dark browns, olives and blacks, with occasional white parts.

[7] Blackside darter is found in areas of small to medium-sized rivers and streams,[6] that are clean and free of most pollution.

[8] The fish start by moving up stream then they spawn over sand and gravel around slow riffles, and then bury the eggs.

[7] The Blackside darter mainly feeds on insects, like mayflies and midge larve but has also been known to ingest other small fish and plant material.

Garbage and pollution can wipe out populations of Blacksides if the change is too sudden and is persistent in their home.