Author: Keck & Near, 2013
FBname: Caney fork darter
Comments: This species is found to be most abundant in the faster-flowing riffles of medium to large streams; substrate in these riffles is mostly large cobble and small boulders that is not embedded. Adults and juveniles are found in the same riffles, but smaller individuals tend to be more common near the banks of the streams. <i>N. starnesi</i> is expected to spawn in a manner similar to other members of the <i>N. maculatus</i> species group, with the males guarding a nest site under a larger cobble in fast current and eggs deposited in a clump in the crevice under the cobble.  During the dryer, summer months, the surface flow of several eastern Caney Fork tributaries flowing over the more karst-like areas completely disappears, creating a series of isolated pools with little or no observable current. During these times, the species have only been observed in patches of silt-free substrate along the margins of the pool, presumably indicating areas of subsurface water upwelling.  Gravid females are observed from May through July (Ref. 93269).