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Bandfin shiner (Luxilus zonistius) — Cyprinidae

Bandfin shiner

Luxilus zonistius
Family: Cyprinidae

The Bandfin shiner (Luxilus zonistius) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

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Description

The Bandfin shiner is a small minnow (Leuciscidae) from clear, flowing streams and rivers of the southeastern United States. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, shiny silver body; courting males develop blue and pink tints and breeding tubercles. As a social schooling fish it swims in the middle and upper layer and snaps at insects, larvae, small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bandfin shiner?

The Bandfin shiner has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Bandfin shiner live?

The Bandfin shiner lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. North America: USA

How big does the Bandfin shiner get?

The Bandfin shiner grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Bandfin shiner dangerous to humans?

No, the Bandfin 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

Bandfin shiner (Luxilus zonistius) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) jrfleullan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bandfin shiner (Luxilus zonistius) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) jrfleullan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bandfin shiner (Luxilus zonistius) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) michael_vs8, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bandfin shiner (Luxilus zonistius) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) michael_vs8, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bandfin shiner sourced
Scientific name
Luxilus zonistius
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water 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 Luxilus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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