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Turquoise Shiner
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.



If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service):

VAFWIS

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Continue Browsing Families.....
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