Fin's Fish Guide
The Telescope shiner (Notropis telescopus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 12 cm.
Fresh water of the east of the US, in clear, flowing rivers and streams with gravel and stony bottoms.
Description
The telescope shiner is a slender cyprinid of the family Leuciscidae reaching about 12 cm. The silvery body stands out for its conspicuously large eyes, from which the species takes its name, and bears a dark, somewhat zigzag lengthwise stripe along the flank. The species is native to the fresh water of the eastern USA and lives in schools in clear, flowing rivers and streams with gravel and stone bottoms. Just below the surface and in the water column it eats drifting insects, zooplankton and algae. In spring it spawns in schools on gravel bars. Through its great numbers it is an important prey fish for larger species.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Telescope shiner?
The Telescope shiner has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Slender shiner with strikingly large eyes and a dark, zigzagging longitudinal stripe across the silvery flank.
Where does the Telescope shiner live?
The Telescope shiner lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Fresh water of the east of the US, in clear, flowing rivers and streams with gravel and stony bottoms.
How big does the Telescope shiner get?
The Telescope shiner grows to a maximum of about 12 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.
Is the Telescope shiner dangerous to humans?
No, the Telescope shiner is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Telescope shiner edible?
The Telescope shiner is not usually eaten.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Notropis
More from the family Cyprinidae
Want the complete picture on the Telescope shiner?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Telescope shiner is one of 12,519 species in the app.