The Sickle Darter is found in the upper Tennessee River in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. They live over rocky substrate in flowing pools in association with structure. As the common name suggests, Sickle Darters have teardrops in the shape of a sickle under their eyes. While most darters are found on stream bottoms, members of the genus Percina tend to be found higher in the water column because they retain a swim bladder.