The Tangerine Darter is found in the upper Tennessee River System in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. They live in deep rocky pools of creeks to medium rivers. As the common name suggests, breeding male Tangerine Darters have bright orange coloration on their lower side and belly. 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.