Spottail Shiner

Characteristics

Moderately robust and slab-sided. A large, prominent spot at the base of the caudal peduncle, which is the basis of its common name, helps to distinguish it from other large, pale, and silvery shiners. The color above is very pale olive, and the sides and belly are silvery. A sub-terminal mouth is nearly horizontal and no barbel is present. Flat, hooked pharyngeal teeth are supported on heavy arches and have a variable formula of 0, 4-4, 0 to 2, 4-4, 2. A complete lateral line has 36 to 39 scales. The dorsal fin, inserted directly over the pelvic fins, anal fin, and pelvic fins has 8 rays, while the pectoral fins have from 13 to 15 rays. Dorsal and anal fins are more deeply curved than other Notropis species.

Distribution

Natural lakes and the Mississippi River; recorded in the Missouri River watershed in Lake Manawa and in Woodbury County; recently introduced into Rathbun Reservoir

Foods

aquatic insects and larvae, zooplankton and some plant material

State Record

Expert Tip

None

Details

The Spottail Shiner is the "big-water" member of the minnow family, reaching its greatest abundance in the natural lakes. It spawns over gravel in creeks or along sandy shores during May and June, but August spawning has been recorded. Adults reach 3- to 4-inches in long.