It is native to the eastern United States where it occurs primarily in the Ohio River basin; it is present in the states of Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia and Kentucky with a small population in Virginia.

[3] This darter has large pectoral fins, which are used to keep the fish upright in the fast-moving streams it inhabits.

Due to this attribute, the fish is often viewed as an indicator of good water quality.

[3] The darter lives predominantly in the states of Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia and Kentucky.

[1] The diet of E. variatum consists of crustaceans, insect larvae and other aquatic invertebrates.