Healing Hudson – Darter Fish of NY by Selva Ozelli for Putnam History Museum

Darter fish are small, slender freshwater fishes native to eastern North America. They live near the bottom of highly oxygenated clear streams with fast-flowing current, darting quickly about when feeding or when disturbed. Their name comes from their swimming behavior, moving from place to place on the bottom in sudden, quick spurts.

Darter fish have about 100 species. The tessellated darter – is found in the tidal Hudson River. The bluebreast darter is found in large streams of southwestern New York.

“With my art show ‘Healing Hudson – Darter Fish of New York’ at the Putnam History, I hope to draw attention to the nearly extinct Darter Fish and to the fact that action to restore wetlands and oceans is gathering momentum not only in the Hudson River Estuary, but also around the world too” explained Selva Ozelli.

Ms. Ozelli is an ambassador to Oceanic Global and a member of Climate Heritage Network.