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Cherryfin shiner (Lythrurus roseipinnis) — Cyprinidae

Cherryfin shiner

Lythrurus roseipinnis
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cherryfin shiner (Lythrurus roseipinnis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeastern USA; sand and gravel pools of creeks and small rivers.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The cherryfin shiner is a small minnow (Leuciscidae) from the southeastern United States. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, silvery body; courting males develop cherry-red fins, to which the name refers. It inhabits sand- and gravel-bottomed pools of headwaters, creeks and small rivers. It lives in schools and feeds on small invertebrates, insects and algae that come with the current or are picked from the bottom. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cherryfin shiner?

The Cherryfin shiner has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Courting male with cherry-red fins; small schooling fish of sand and gravel pools.

Where does the Cherryfin shiner live?

The Cherryfin shiner lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southeastern USA; sand and gravel pools of creeks and small rivers.

How big does the Cherryfin shiner get?

The Cherryfin shiner grows to a maximum of about 8 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Cherryfin shiner dangerous to humans?

No, the Cherryfin shiner is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Cherryfin shiner edible?

The Cherryfin shiner is not usually eaten.

More photos

Cherryfin shiner (Lythrurus roseipinnis) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Dakota Parish, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Cherryfin shiner (Lythrurus roseipinnis) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) pirateperchguy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Cherryfin shiner (Lythrurus roseipinnis) — Cyprinidae — 4
Raredon, Sandra J. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Cherryfin shiner (Lythrurus roseipinnis) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Jeff Garner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Cherryfin shiner verified
Scientific name
Lythrurus roseipinnis
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Cherryfin shiner verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Average length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Southeastern USA; sand and gravel pools of creeks and small rivers. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, insects and algae sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
1.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Courting male with cherry-red fins; small schooling fish of sand and gravel pools. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Lythrurus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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