Home · Cyprinidae · Crescent shiner
Crescent shiner (Luxilus cerasinus) — Cyprinidae

Crescent shiner

Luxilus cerasinus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Crescent shiner (Luxilus cerasinus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

Want the complete picture on the Crescent shiner?

Get the app

Description

The crescent shiner is a small minnow (Leuciscidae) from clear streams and rivers of the eastern United States. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a silvery, laterally compressed body; in the breeding season males flush with cherry-red tones on the head and fins. It lives in schools in clear, flowing water and eats insects, larvae and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Crescent shiner?

The Crescent shiner has a torpedo-shaped body.

Where does the Crescent shiner live?

The Crescent shiner lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: USA

How big does the Crescent shiner get?

The Crescent shiner grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Crescent shiner dangerous to humans?

No, the Crescent 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

Crescent shiner (Luxilus cerasinus) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) IHUNTA, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Crescent shiner (Luxilus cerasinus) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) IHUNTA, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Crescent shiner (Luxilus cerasinus) — Cyprinidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Noel Burkhead, USGS (Public domain)
Crescent shiner (Luxilus cerasinus) — Cyprinidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Tayton Alvis (CC BY 4.0)
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Crescent shiner?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Crescent shiner is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Crescent shiner sourced
Scientific name
Luxilus cerasinus
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
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

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Crescent shiner?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Crescent shiner is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Crescent shiner? Get the app