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Burrhead shiner (Notropis asperifrons) — Cyprinidae

Burrhead shiner

Notropis asperifrons
Family: Cyprinidae

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

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
1.0–2.0 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 Burrhead shiner is a North American minnow (Leuciscidae) from clear streams and rivers of the southeastern 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 Burrhead shiner?

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

Where does the Burrhead shiner live?

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

How big does the Burrhead shiner get?

The Burrhead shiner grows to a maximum of about 8 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Burrhead shiner dangerous to humans?

No, the Burrhead 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

Burrhead shiner (Notropis asperifrons) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Jacob Hann, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Burrhead shiner (Notropis asperifrons) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) indianaspeciesfishing, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Burrhead shiner (Notropis asperifrons) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel Folds, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Burrhead shiner (Notropis asperifrons) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel Folds, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Burrhead shiner sourced
Scientific name
Notropis asperifrons
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Average length (cm)
5.2 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
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
2.0 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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