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Silverband shiner (Notropis shumardi) — Cyprinidae

Silverband shiner

Notropis shumardi
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Silverband shiner (Notropis shumardi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Freshwater of the southern and central United States.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The silverband shiner is a small, slender cyprinid from the southern and central United States. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a silvery, elongate body with a shining silver lengthwise band on the flank. It inhabits flowing pools and runs of large, often turbid rivers and stays over sand and gravel bottoms. In schools it feeds on drifting insects and other small animal matter. The species has no commercial value and is completely harmless to humans. Relatively little is known about its detailed reproduction.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Silverband shiner?

The Silverband shiner has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Glossy silvery longitudinal band on the flank.

Where does the Silverband shiner live?

The Silverband shiner lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Freshwater of the southern and central United States.

How big does the Silverband shiner get?

The Silverband shiner grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Silverband shiner dangerous to humans?

No, the Silverband 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 Silverband shiner edible?

The Silverband shiner is not usually eaten.

More photos

Silverband shiner (Notropis shumardi) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Zakqary Roy, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Silverband shiner (Notropis shumardi) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) jasonrl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Silverband shiner (Notropis shumardi) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Caden Bettis, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Silverband shiner (Notropis shumardi) — Cyprinidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — United States Fish Commission (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Silverband shiner verified
Scientific name
Notropis shumardi
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Average length (cm)
5.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes 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
Freshwater of the southern and central United States. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Drifting insects and small animal material sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Spawns in spring and summer in flowing water. inferred
Special features
Glossy silvery longitudinal band on the flank. 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 Notropis

More from the family Cyprinidae

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