Spottail Shiner

Key Characteristics:

  • Most have a lateral stripe. Single dorsal fin. Pigment on top of the head.
  • Dorsal fin begins after the start of pelvic fin in some species (emerald and golden shiners).
  • Very hard to key out to species except for a few unique species until about 20 mm.
  • Most pre-anal myomeres than post. But the ratio is more even than for Clupeidae and Catostomidae.
  • “Lumpy” head.
1

Larval Spottail Shiner. 24 mm. United States Fish & Wildlife Service. Green Bay, Lake Michigan, WI. Adam Dziewa. 2017

2

Spottail Shiner Larvae. United States Fish & Wildlife Service. Marian Shaffer. 2017.

3

Spottail Shiner Larvae. United States Fish & Wildlife Service. Marian Shaffer. 2017.

 

4

Spottail Shiner Larvae. United States Fish & Wildlife Service. Marian Shaffer. 2017.

 

5

Larval Spottail Shiner. 25 mm. United States Fish & Wildlife Service. Green Bay, Lake Michigan, WI. Adam Dziewa. 2017

Dr. Auer’s Dichotomous Key

  • Body not elongated, eel-shaped, round in transverse section, uniformly pigmented (1B)
  • Chin barbels absent (3B)
  • Snout short, its length usually less than 10% TL; median fins otherwise (5B)
  • Median fins or finfolds showing distinct separation (7B)
  • No adipose fin, or demarcation of one, in finfold (10B)
  • Preanal myomeres greater than or equal to postanal myomeres (14A)
  • Preanal myomeres significantly greater than postanal myomeres (difference greater than five myomeres) (15B)
  • Postanal myomeres greater than 10 (26B)
  • Preanal myomeres usually less than 30 (28A)
    • Cyprinidae (Carps + Minnows)

Adult History 

  • Physical Description 
    • Short & rounded snout, subterminal mouth, large black caudal spot (base of tail), compressed body, 8 anal and single dorsal rays, no barbels, light green back with a white belly, well developed pharyngeal teeth, and little to no pigment by the dorsal fin
  • Spawning Habitat
    • Shallow/inshore waters (streams)
    • Mouths/channels of small tributaries
  • Spawning Substrate
    • Gravel, channels, or sandy shoals
  • Spawning Behavior
    • Broadcast Spawners (no parental care)
  • Time of Year
    • June to July in Lake Michigan
    • Spawning typically takes place at water temperatures of 60-70°F
  • Diet
    • Omnivores
      • Aquatic insect larvae, algae, plankton, or any other eggs/larvae 
spotted shiner

Adult Spottail Shiner. UW – Sea Grant, UW – Madison, and NOAA. John Lyons. 2013.

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