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Weed shiner (Notropis texanus) — Cyprinidae

Weed shiner

Notropis texanus
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern
NativeIntroduced

The Weed shiner (Notropis texanus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeastern and central North America, in sandy runs and pools of clear streams and rivers.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The weed shiner is a small North American minnow (family Leuciscidae) of the south and centre of the continent. The species reaches about 8 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a dark lateral stripe. It inhabits sandy runs and pools of clear creeks and small to medium rivers and, in the north of its range, is often found near aquatic vegetation. Its diet consists of filamentous algae, detritus and small invertebrates. The species lives in schools in the open water column. Because of its small size it is of no fishery value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Weed shiner?

The Weed shiner has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Small schooling fish of clear waters with a dark longitudinal stripe; often near aquatic plants.

Where does the Weed shiner live?

The Weed shiner lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southeastern and central North America, in sandy runs and pools of clear streams and rivers.

How big does the Weed shiner get?

The Weed shiner grows to a maximum of about 9 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Weed shiner dangerous to humans?

No, the Weed shiner is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Weed shiner edible?

The Weed shiner is not usually eaten.

More photos

Weed shiner (Notropis texanus) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Vince Golder, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Weed shiner (Notropis texanus) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jacob Jones, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Weed shiner (Notropis texanus) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) amfibifish, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Weed shiner (Notropis texanus) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Dakota Parish, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Weed shiner verified
Scientific name
Notropis texanus
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Weed shiner verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.6 verified
Average length (cm)
4.3 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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
Southeastern and central North America, in sandy runs and pools of clear streams and rivers. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Filamentous algae, detritus and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
3.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Small schooling fish of clear waters with a dark longitudinal stripe; often near aquatic plants. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

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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