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Blackspot shiner (Notropis atrocaudalis) — Cyprinidae

Blackspot shiner

Notropis atrocaudalis
Family: Cyprinidae

The Blackspot shiner (Notropis atrocaudalis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–50.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

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Description

The Blackspot shiner is a North American minnow (Leuciscidae) from clear streams and rivers of the southern United States. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, silvery body, in spawning males often with red or yellow tints and a dark lengthwise stripe. As a social schooling fish it swims in the water column and snaps at insect larvae, small plankton and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackspot shiner?

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

Where does the Blackspot shiner live?

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

How big does the Blackspot shiner get?

The Blackspot shiner grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Blackspot shiner dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackspot 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

Blackspot shiner (Notropis atrocaudalis) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Fishes of Texas team, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Blackspot shiner (Notropis atrocaudalis) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Fishes of Texas team, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Blackspot shiner (Notropis atrocaudalis) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) alexarcia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackspot shiner (Notropis atrocaudalis) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Maxfield JonasKrueger, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blackspot shiner sourced
Scientific name
Notropis atrocaudalis
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Max depth (m)
50.0 verified
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 Notropis

More from the family Cyprinidae

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