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Ghost shiner (Notropis buchanani) — Cyprinidae

Ghost shiner

Notropis buchanani
Family: Cyprinidae

The Ghost shiner (Notropis buchanani) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Ghost shiner is a small minnow (Leuciscidae) from fresh water of the central Mississippi basin in North America. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed body. The body is almost colourless and translucent. As a schooling fish it lives in clear, flowing streams and rivers and eats small insects, larvae and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ghost shiner?

The Ghost shiner has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly white.

Where does the Ghost shiner live?

The Ghost shiner lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Ghost shiner get?

The Ghost shiner grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Ghost shiner dangerous to humans?

No, the Ghost shiner is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geest-shiner sourced
English name
Ghost shiner sourced
Scientific name
Notropis buchanani
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Ghost shiner verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.4 verified
Average length (cm)
4.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
2.0 verified

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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