As we learned on our expedition, catching a bridled darter is not like catching your average fish. Given their small size, speed, and tendency to live in rocky environments, Dr. Bernie Kuhajda says having snorkelers ‘herd’ the fish toward a net is the safest and most effective way to catch them.

That’s exactly what we witnessed this team of freshwater biologists from the Tennessee Aquarium Conservation Institute do. Team leader, Dr. Kuhajda, says they started studying bridled darters over the summer after receiving a grant.