Mimic Shiner

Characteristics

The body is slender and slightly compressed laterally. The back is straw-colored while the sides are silvery, the belly is whitish, and the scales on the back have a light pigment edging giving the fish a cross-hatched look. The lateral band varies from distinct to faint among fish from different populations. The small, sub-terminal mouth is slightly oblique and no barbel is present. Hooked pharyngeal teeth on slender arches are found in an array of 4-4. Mimic Shiners have dark pigment around the vent and base of the anal fin, which is absent or faint in the Bigmouth and Sand Shiners. This shiner has a poorly developed or absent mid-dorsal stripe. Infraorbital canals are complete in the Mimic Shiner, but interrupted in the Ghost Shiner. Dorsal and anal fins have 8 rays and are rounded in shape, as opposed to falcate-like in the Ghost Shiner. Pectoral fins have 12 to 15 rays, and the pelvic fin has 9 rays. A complete, elevated lateral line has 33 to 38 scales with a spot above and below each pore. Mimic Shiners have 35 to 38 lateral line scales, which are almost 3 times as high as wide. This fish is similar to the Channel Shiner, and they were previously thought to be two sub-species of the same species.

Distribution

The Mimic Shiner is rare in Iowa; found mostly in the upper pools of the Mississippi River. It has also been collected in the upper Wapsipinicon and lower Cedar River watersheds. Other than in the forested portions of northeast Iowa, there have only been a few collections of the Mimic Shiner in Iowa. These fish have been collected in the Winnebago and Little Sioux Rivers. Two fish were recently collected at a sampling site in the Missouri River. In all collections, it is considered rare.

Foods

insect larvae, terrestrial insects and zooplankton.

State Record

State Records are not documented for non-game species.

Expert Tip

None

Details

The Mimic Shiner is most often found in clear, medium streams and large rivers with low to moderate gradients, and firm substrates made of gravel, sandy silt, or clayey silt, as long as silt deposition is minimal. In streams, it prefers gently flowing riffles or pools with little current, while in large rivers it is often taken near creek mouths over sandy bottoms. In its northern range, the Mimic Shiner is more common in lakes, preferring sheltered areas with silty bottoms. Researchers have found that the Mimic Shiner was tolerant of reservoirs and consistently avoided small creeks and marshy or swampy lowland areas. In Iowa, the Mimic Shiner lives in streams and rivers with low to moderate current over sand bars or spoil banks. 

Mimic Shiners live in rivers with moderate to swift current over sandbars or spoil banks. Mimic Shiners prefer less current than Channel Shiners. Adults reach 3-inches long. Spawning occurs in late May through June. 

Recent stream sampling information is available from Iowa DNR's biological monitoring and assessment program.

Sources:

Harlan, J.R., E.B. Speaker, and J. Mayhew. 1987. Iowa fish and fishing. Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa. 323pp.

Loan-Wilsey, A. K., C. L. Pierce, K. L. Kane, P. D. Brown and R. L. McNeely. 2005. The Iowa Aquatic Gap Analysis Project Final Report. Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Iowa State University, Ames.

Photo credit: Photo courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Fish and Wildlife Information Systemt