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Sabine shiner (Notropis sabinae) — Cyprinidae

Sabine shiner

Notropis sabinae
Family: Cyprinidae

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

Length
5.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

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Description

The Sabine shiner is a North American minnow (Leuciscidae) from clear streams and rivers of the southern 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 Sabine shiner?

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

Where does the Sabine shiner live?

The Sabine shiner lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Sabine shiner get?

The Sabine shiner grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Sabine shiner dangerous to humans?

No, the Sabine 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

Sabine shiner (Notropis sabinae) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Fishes of Texas team, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Sabine shiner (Notropis sabinae) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Micah Shively, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sabine shiner (Notropis sabinae) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Shin Batz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Sabine shiner (Notropis sabinae) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Micah Shively, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Sabine shiner sourced
Scientific name
Notropis sabinae
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.7 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
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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