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Alabama shiner (Cyprinella callistia) — Cyprinidae

Alabama shiner

Cyprinella callistia
Family: Cyprinidae

The Alabama shiner (Cyprinella callistia) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

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Description

The Alabama shiner is a small minnow (Leuciscidae) from fresh water of the southeastern United States, in the Mobile basin. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a slender, silvery, laterally compressed body; courting males often turn bluish or yellow. As a schooling fish it lives in clear, flowing streams and rivers and eats small insects, larvae and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Alabama shiner?

The Alabama shiner has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Alabama shiner live?

The Alabama shiner lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. North America: USA

How big does the Alabama shiner get?

The Alabama shiner grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Alabama shiner dangerous to humans?

No, the Alabama shiner is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Alabama shiner (Cyprinella callistia) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Micah Shively, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Alabama shiner (Cyprinella callistia) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) chrosomusenthusiast, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Alabama shiner (Cyprinella callistia) — Cyprinidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Tayton Alvis (CC BY 4.0)
Alabama shiner (Cyprinella callistia) — Cyprinidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Tayton Alvis (CC BY 4.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Alabama shiner sourced
Scientific name
Cyprinella callistia
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Alabama shiner verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cyprinella

More from the family Cyprinidae

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