Chesapeake Logperch
Percina bimaculata

The Chesapeake logperch is a rare species of the darter fish family that is only found in the tributaries of the Susquehanna River.

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Logperch, a light olive color with black stripes, sits in a person's hand.
(Photo courtesy of Drew/iNaturalist CC BY-NC, cropped and toned)

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Appearance

The Chesapeake logperch is a yellow and olive colored fish typically an inch long. It has dark bars on its body arranged in a zebra fashion.

Feeding

The Chesapeake logperch feeds in shallow, rocky areas of streams and rivers. It will use its head to lift small rocks and eat what's underneath.

Predators

Predators of the Chesapeake logperch include larger fish such as northern snakehead and blue catfish, which are invasive.

Reproduction and life cycle

Because the Chesapeake logperch is so rare, little is known about its reproductive behavior. We know that they spawn in the warm months of spring and summer in shallow freshwater streams and ponds with high oxygen availability. Their eggs typically hatch earlier than other darter fish. Common logperches take around two years to reach maturity.

Did you know?

  • The Chesapeake logperch is a member of the darter family, which is known for their colorful markings.
  • It is believed that the Chesapeake logperch only ever have inhabited the lower drainages of the Susquehanna and Potomac rivers, and it has not been seen in the Potomac since the late 1930s.
  • There are efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to restore habitat for the logperch. The fish requires cool and clean water to survive.

Sources and additional information

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