Observations by koaw

Extensive fungal infection on the caudal fin. Found in shallow, murky, swamp-like water.

Female specimen. Found in shallow, murky, swamp-like water.

Male specimen. Found in shallow, murky, swamp-like water.

Kind of a curious specimen. Cheek is unscaled. Red in anal fin. Clear, upland creek.

Few scales on that cheek. Clear, upland creek.

Complete lateral line. Almost subterminal mouth. Clear, upland creek.

50+ lateral scales; plus largescale shouldn't be here. Clear, upland creek.

Blacks are conspicuous, regular and darker than stripe. Clear, upland creek.

Found in leaf litter. Clear, upland creek.

Plenty of specimens in this somewhat recently established population. Clear, upland creek.

Good number of these in the pools. Found in a pool of a mostly clear, shallow creek.

Found in a pool of a mostly clear, shallow creek.

Fine scales, especially on nape. Black blotch at dorsal fin origin is faded. 10 principle anal rays. Found in a pool of a mostly clear, shallow creek.

Found in a pool of a mostly clear, shallow creek.

Female. Found above leaf litter of a mostly clear, shallow creek.

Small predorsal scales of Pimephales; complete lateral line; eyes more laterally positioned. Found in a pool of a mostly clear, shallow creek.

Spotting isn't regular or jet black. Found in a pool of a mostly clear, shallow creek.

Found in leaf litter of a mostly clear, shallow creek.

Body deepest at nape. Few scales on cheek. Found in leaf litter of a mostly clear, shallow creek.

Was in the water along rip-rap. Pretty sure this was my first diamondback in Il. Safe release.
Sorry for poor images; they are stills from a GoPro seated far back.

Shallow, swampy waters.

Found in leaf litter along shoreline.

Many present in shallows over leaf litter.

Juvenile. Head streaking perhaps best feature to see at this stage.

Many present in shallows.

Juvenile. Can just start to see red coming in on opercular flap.

Front of upper lip is about eye-level.

Attached is a shot of the gill rakers that are essentially entirely fused; distinguishing features.

Fairly large eye. Painted lips. At least 10 anal rays...hard to see here. Didn't have mini-tanks.

Dark streak on snout to lip does not connect with other streak across lip.