Common Shiner,  Luxilus cornutus

 

Physical Description: 

�	Deep, compressed body
�	Dorsal fin origin above front half of pelvic fin base 
�	Large or medium eye
�	Rounded snout with terminal mouth
�	Few dark crescents on side of body
�	Top of body olive, silver sides and belly
�	Dorsal, tail, pelvic, and anal fins have red band with pale outer margin
�	Breeding males have rose-colored bellies

Similar species: 

�	Crescent shiner (Luxilis cerasinus)

Mean body size:

�	Adults are 65-100 mm standard length 

Habitat:

�	Found in clear streams and rivers in pools and in lakes
�	May form schools

Distribution in VA:

�	Atlantic slope drainages � Potomac, Rappahannock, York, and James

Food Habits:  

�	Feed on insects, worms, microcrustaceans, spiders, small fish, plants, and detritus

Reproductive Habits: 

�	Mature in 2 years 
�	Spawning occurs early May to early June in water 17.5-23.9�C
�	Spawn over chub nests
�	Fecundity is 400-1,950 eggs per female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 

�	Very common and abundant shiner

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. 

Goldfish Carp Grass Carp Silver Carp Golden Shiner Mtn. Redbelly Dace So. Redbelly Dace Rosyside Dace Longnose Dace Blacknose Dace Blacknose Dace Stoneroller Pearl Dace Fallfish Tonguetied Minnow Creek Chub Cutlips Minnow Bull Chub Bluehead Chub River Chub Slender Chub Streamline Chub Blotched Chub Kanawha Minnow Fatlips Minnow Stargazing Minnow Bigeye Chub Highback Chub Spotfin Chub Bigmouth Chub Whitetail Shiner Steelcolor Shiner Satinfin Shiner Spotfin Shiner Warpaint Shiner Crescent Shiner White Shiner Common Shiner Striped Shiner Mountain Shiner Rosefin Shiner Rosyface Shiner Tennessee Shiner Saffron Shiner Redlip Shiner Silver Shiner Popeye Shiner Telescope Shiner New River Shiner Sawfin Shiner Mirror Shiner Swallowtail Shiner Emerald Shiner Spottail Shiner Bridle Shiner Swallowtail Shiner Fieryblack Shiner Turquoise Shiner Fathead Minnow Fallfish Continue Browsing Families..... Petromyzontidae, Lampreys Polyodontidae, Paddlefish Acipenseridae, Sturgeons Lepisosteidae, Gars Amiidae, Bowfins Anguillidae, Freshwater Eels Amblyopsidae, Cavefishes Ictaluridae, Catfish Percopsidae, Trout-Perches Salmonidae, Trouts Clupeidae, Herrings Esocidae, Pikes Aphredoderidae, Pirate Perches Umbridae, Mudminnows Fundulidae, Killifishes Poeciliidae, Livebearers Cyprinidae, Minnows Catostomidae, Suckers Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks Atherinidae, Silversides Cottidae, Sculpins Sciaenidae, Drums Percidae, Perches Moronidae, Striped Basses Centrarchidae, Sunfishes