Turquoise Shiner, Cyprinella monacha

 

Physical Description: 
�	Males have deeper, more compressed body than females
�	Dorsal fin origin above pelvic fin base 
�	Small eye
�	Long, rounded, blunt nose
�	Small, inferior mouth
�	Large, dark spot at base of caudal fin
�	Dark streak on dorsal fin
�	Top of body gray or green, silver sides
�	Breeding males have turquoise body and fins

Similar species: 
�	Whitetail shiner (Cyprinella galactura)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 55-90 mm standard length 

Habitat:
�	Found in warm, clear streams and rivers in fast-moving current over rocks

Distribution in VA:
�	Native to the Tennessee drainage; only found in the North and Middle forks of the Holston River

Food Habits:  
�	Feed on insects

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Mature at age 1 or 2 
�	Spawning occurs mid-May to mid-August in water around 26 or 27�C
�	Spawn in crevices formed by rocks
�	One male can spawn with more than one female at a time in a crevice
�	Fecundity is 157-791 eggs per female 

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	Only eats a narrow range of food items
�	Very fragile species
�	Federally Threatened species; state endangered species 

References:       

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

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