It is found in small rivers and streams in the states of Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.

The stripetail darter males are golden orange and as adults can grow up to 2.8 inches (7.1 cm) long.

Currently, the stripetail darter inhabits tributaries of the Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland, and Paint Rock river systems.

The stripetail darter inhabits states including Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.

[1] The stripetail darter's distribution is typically spotty throughout its range with multiple subpopulations; however, the species is still abundant overall.

[1] The diet of the stripetail darter includes mayflies, fishflies, midge larvae, isopods, stoneflies, and cladocerans.

Newly hatched stripetail darters are typically around .16 to .19 inches (4.1 to 4.8 mm) in length and have fully developed pectoral fins with 12 incipient rays.

[1] The stripetail darter was first formally described as Catonotus kennicotti in 1863 by the American zoologist Frederic Ward Putnam (1839–1914).