However, a possible more telling characteristic of the species is the systematical arrangement of the spots at the base of the tail as well as the continuous stripes down either side of the back.

The frecklebelly darter can be found primarily in creeks and small rivers with a moderate gradient and a pool/riffle type flow, and spends most of its time in midwater areas of the stream.

[3] The major threats of the frecklebelly darter include decimation through perturbations such as strip mining as well as stream channelization projects.

The darter is thought to have a high resilience with minimum population doubling time less than 15 months; it is also believed to have low vulnerability.

The darter propagates upland streams of the Cumberland Plateau and central portions of the Highland Rim.

The frecklebelly darter is restricted to large tributaries in Tennessee, primarily of the Barren River system in Clay, Macon, and Sumner counties.

Aquarium observations confirm that this species buries its eggs in a manner similar to other Percina darters.

[6] Females of the species are thought to reach sexual maturity at age one and when spawning, lay their eggs in the substrate of the lake or river bed.

Males of the species have a semicircular keel on the caudal peduncle that appears to function as a ploughshare which, in conjunction with the long anal fin, delivers spermatozoa to be buried in the substrate.

Compared to sympatric darters, early spawning results in relatively large young, which may reduce predation in this relatively pelagic species.