Common Shiner
Scientific Name: Luxilus cornutus
Category: fish
Brief Description
A small freshwater fish in the minnow family, recognized by its silvery sides and deep-bodied shape.
Characteristics
Deep, laterally compressed body with large scales, silvery sides, an olive-green back, and distinctive bright orange-red tips on the fins during the breeding season.
Habitat
Clear, cool streams, small rivers, and pools with gravel or rocky bottoms.
When to Find It
Most active during spring and summer months, particularly during the late spring spawning season.
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Ecological Role
Serves as a vital forage fish for many larger predatory fish, birds, and mammals, and plays a role in nest associations with other stream-dwelling species.
Easily Confused With
Other shiner species and minnows, distinguishable by scale size, body depth, and fin coloration.
Observation Tips
Look in shallow, clear riffles and pools of streams using polarising sunglasses to spot schools swimming near the bottom.
Interesting Facts
Male common shiners build gravel nests in streams that are frequently used by other species of fish to spawn as well.