[2] The species differs from other species of the subgenus Doration by having fully scaled cheeks, complete lateral line, breeding males with bright blue pigment completely covering the lower face, and breeding males with soft dorsal and anal fins lacking orange and blue pigment.

Etheostoma akatulo is most abundant and widely distributed in Collins River, where it occurs in a 37-km reach between Shellsford, Warren County, and Tennessee Highway 56, 1.2 km east of Mt.

[2] Etheostoma akatulo occurs in slow to moderate current over sand and fine gravel at depths of 10–50 cm, typically just downstream of riffles, in runs, or along margins of pools.

[6] After the spawning period, Bluemask Darters move to sandy substrates in low-velocity areas of intermediate depth.

[3] Existing and potential threats to continued survival of the species include habitat destruction from gravel dredging, which has already eliminated habitat once occupied by the species in Collins River; pesticides in runoff or groundwater from plant nurseries; siltation from gravel mining, agricultural runoff, or land-disturbing activities; and acid mine drainage from headwater streams.

[10] The reservoir impounded by the dam flooded over 80 kilometers of possible bluemask darter habitat and isolated the tributary populations from each other.