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Fieryblack shiner (Cyprinella pyrrhomelas) — Cyprinidae

Fieryblack shiner

Cyprinella pyrrhomelas
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Fieryblack shiner (Cyprinella pyrrhomelas) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeastern United States
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The fieryblack shiner is a handsome freshwater minnow from the southeastern United States. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a silver-blue body; in breeding dress males develop a fiery-red head and black fin margins with white tips. It schools in clear, flowing water of rivers and streams and feeds on insects and small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fieryblack shiner?

The Fieryblack shiner has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Spawning male with a fiery red head and black-and-white fin margins

Where does the Fieryblack shiner live?

The Fieryblack shiner lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southeastern United States

How big does the Fieryblack shiner get?

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

Is the Fieryblack shiner dangerous to humans?

No, the Fieryblack 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.

Is the Fieryblack shiner edible?

The Fieryblack shiner is not usually eaten.

More photos

Fieryblack shiner (Cyprinella pyrrhomelas) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) lc_riley, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fieryblack shiner (Cyprinella pyrrhomelas) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Cameron Layne, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fieryblack shiner (Cyprinella pyrrhomelas) — Cyprinidae — 4
tanner_harron1 (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fieryblack shiner (Cyprinella pyrrhomelas) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Joshua Rains, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Fieryblack shiner verified
Scientific name
Cyprinella pyrrhomelas
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Southeastern United States verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects and small zooplankton inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Schooling small clear-water fish; spawns in spring. sourced
Special features
Spawning male with a fiery red head and black-and-white fin margins 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
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 Cyprinella

More from the family Cyprinidae

Fin

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