Common shiner
(Luxilus cornutus)
Image source: henry_dennison | inaturalist.org
General data
The common shiner (Luxilus cornutus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, found in North America. It ranges in length between 4 and 6 inches (10 and 15 cm), although they can reach lengths of up to 8 inches (20 cm).
The common shiner is silvery colored (sometimes bronze) and has an olive back with a dark dorsal stripe.
Adults inhabit rocky pools in small to medium rivers. They can live to be approximately 6 years old.
Breeding males have a pinkish tint over most of their body and small bumps or tubercles on their head.
In comparison with Notropis, the common shiners head, eyes, and mouth are large.
Distribution
North America: Atlantic, Great Lakes, Hudson Bay, and Mississippi River basins from Nova Scotia to southeastern Saskatchewan, Canada and south to James River drainage in Virginia, northern Ohio, central Missouri and Colorado, USA.
